Lester D. Dougherty

Hastings resident Lester D, Dougherty, 96, passed away Saturday, January 21, 2017 at Mary Lanning Memorial HealthCare, Hastings.



Lester was born September 28, 1920 to Lester W. and Genevieve (Lawson) Dougherty in Shenandoah, Iowa where he grew up on a farm. He graduated from Coin Consolidated School. He served in the United States Navy for four years during World War II. Two years were spent in the Atlantic and two years in the Pacific Ocean. After his service he married Kathryn E. Edwards on June 2, 1946. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with family and friends.



For 27 years he was a Culligan Soft Water dealer, owning businesses in Cozad, Hastings, Red Cloud and Blue Hill.



Lester has been an active member of the First United Methodist Church. He was also a member of the Masons, Scottish Rite, Shriners, VFW and American Legion.



He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Ivan.



A loving devoted husband, proud father and grandfather, Les family included his wife Kathryn of Hastings; 3 daughters, Debra (Tom) Johnson of Ames, IA; Jane (Robert) Ripper of Aurora, CO and Marcia (John) LaPorte of Denver, CO, 7 grandchildren, Amanda (Brett) Hoffman, Oskaloosa, IA, Ira (Robyn) Johnson, Conifer, CO, Ethan Johnson, Lakewood, CO, Kathryn Johnson, Lakewood, CO, Susan (Bill) Schlotter, San Francisco, CA, Samuel (Jamie) LaPorte, Richmond, VA and Ben LaPorte of Missoula, MT. There are 4 great grandchildren, Noah and Max Hoffman, Finley and Lola Johnson and his sister, Shirley Horel, Chesterfield, MO.



A family memorial service will be held at a future date. Apfel Funeral Home, Hastings is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family from www.apfelfuneralhome.com.