Lester Leavitt

Lester Leavitt, age 80, of Merrill, passed away at his home on Monday, February 28, 2022, while under the care of his loving family and Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services.  He was born on September 17, 1941, to the late LeRoy and Alice (Plautz) Leavitt in Merrill.  Lester attended and graduated from Merrill High School.  He met his best friend and the love of his life, Carol Barker, and the two were married on June 27, 1975, in Merrill, a union lasting 47 years.  She survives.

Lester worked for Bolt Construction for over 55 years, a job that he was very skilled at.  He loved helping friends and family with their building or remodeling projects, he even remodeling his and Carol’s entire home.  Lester was an avid outdoorsman and would look forward to his hunting and fishing trips, as well as going to the hunting shack with his family. He would also look forward to taking Sunday drives with Carol and the kids. Lester and Carol would enjoy their annual trips to Florida to visit family and he would love walking along the beaches.  He also enjoyed canning, planting pear trees and making his raspberry jellies.  Lester was also very proud of his well-maintained yard and doing a huge outdoor Christmas display every year.  He also was known for having a green thumb and loved his Christmas cactuses.  Lester is remembered as a very laid-back man that was very kind and giving to everyone that he knew.  He was a member of the local #268 union, volunteered with the senior center delivering Christmas and Thanksgiving meals and was a lifelong member at Trinity Lutheran Church in Merrill.   He will be sadly missed, but never forgotten.

Lester is survived by his wife: Carol Leavitt, sister: Karen Van Slate, stepdaughter: Beverly (Jeff) Bootz, stepson: Scott (Sandy) Plum, sisters-in-law: Helen Leavitt and Carol Leavitt and many nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Thomas, Edward and Harold, sisters: Nancy and Lucille, stepdaughter: Elaine Wiedenhof, stepson: Wayne Plum and brother-in-law: Robert Van Slate.

The funeral service for Lester will be held on Friday, March 11, 2022, at 11am at Trinity Lutheran Church in Merrill.  Pastor Adam Rodriguez will officiate.  Visitation will be held on Friday, March 11, 2022, from 9am until the time of the service, also at the church.  Burial at Merrill Memorial Park Cemetery will immediately follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, family requests that donations be made in Lester’s name to the Lincoln County Humane Society.

The family of Lester wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services and to Dr. Paul Thompson for their support and care shown to Lester and his family during his illness.

Waid Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.