Paralee Marie Lester

Paralee Marie Lester, 86, El Dorado Springs, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born Oct. 15, 1923, in Monett to Warren S. Perry and Virginia L. Hulse.

She met her husband, Don, at a Monett roller skating rink in 1940. They were married after she graduated from high school. They spent 56 happy years together. Don and Paralee retired to El Dorado Springs, in 1994 after operating Taylor Rental Center in Springfield for over 20 years.

Paralee lived a full and good Christian life. She graduated from Monett High School in 1941 and attended two years of college in Glendale studying art. She lived in Springfield and Independence, Port Angeles, WA, Lawrence, KS, Fort Wayne, IN, Goodyear, AZ, Bermuda and Los Alamos, NM. She was employed as a bookkeeper and/or typist at several of the places she lived.

She was an avid reader, the best speller of the family and loved crossword puzzles. She enjoyed participating in activities with her husband, such as walking the beach digging for clams, water skiing, deer hunting, fishing and camping. She worked in a floral shop in Arizona in trade for flying lessons for both of them.

Paralee was an accomplished artist studying acrylics and color pencils under instructors located in Bermuda, Santa Fe, NM, and Texas. She loved working on art projects with both of her children. She was a member of the Polk County Art Association.
Paralee delivered her last commissioned color pencil drawing to the Casa Azteca restaurant in Nevada in October 2009. She loved music, playing flute and piano in high school and in the various churches she attended throughout her life.

Paralee was positive and resilient as a breast cancer survivor, enduring many surgeries due to complications from a 1970 cancer radiation treatment overdose and losing her left arm from infections related to lymphedema. She was an inspiration to all as she continued her art, knitting, playing games with her neighbors and occasionally playing one handed piano duets at the First Presbyterian Church in El Dorado Springs where she also served as treasurer until her death. She was a great mother and will be missed.

Preceding her in death were - her loving husband, Donald H. Lester; a brother, Warren S. Perry Jr.; and a sister, Polly M. Soles.
Survivors include her son, Fred Lester, and his wife, Norma - Springfield; her daughter, Becky Lester - Overland Park, KS; her brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Mary Lester - Colorado; and several nephews and nieces.

Services will begin at 10 am. Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010, at Bland-Hackleman Chapel with Paul Gray officiating. Burial will follow at 12:30 p.m. at Fort Scott National Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Rick Lester, Fred Lester, Will Lester, Ken Skalecki, Dennis Keith and Claud Appleberry.
Arrangements were entrusted to Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of El Dorado Springs, Missouri.