Lester Norman Holznagel, 92, died peacefully in his sleep at the Boise Veterans’ Willow House in Boise, Idaho, on May 3, 2017. A memorial service will begin at 10:00 am at the Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel on May 10th. A graveside service at Terrace Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery will be held immediately after the service. Friends and family are invited to a celebration of life reception at St. Marks Church Parish Hall beginning at 1:00 pm.
Les was born March 9, 1925 in Sanborn, Minnesota to William Holznagel and Ella (Trapp) Holznagel. Les was raised on the family farm in Redwood County, Minnesota, where he formed countless friendships that lasted his entire life. In 1943 Les entered the United States Army and served with honor in Germany and Japan during WWII as an infantryman before being discharged in April, 1946. He was promoted to the rank of Corporal and his awards include the Bronze Star and Combat Infantryman Badge for his service. Les was an active member of American Legion for many years, serving in Post 263 in Wabasso, Minnesota and Post 137 in Horseshoe Bend, Idaho.
On April 21, 1956, he married Marilyn Jane Swanson in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Les and Lynn raised four children and were together until her passing in 1997.
Les was a gravel contractor for 25 years in Walnut Grove, Minnesota where he and his brother owned the Holznagel Construction Company. In 1971 Les moved his family to Boise, where he owned a Servicemaster franchise for 20 years until he retired.
An avid fisherman and hunter, Les spent each fall from his teens into his 80’s hunting deer, bear, and elk with family and friends from Minnesota and Idaho. Some of his most treasured memories were of spending time with those he loved including spur of the moment family drives with Debbie, Bill, and Dean; long days in the boat fishing for trout, perch, bullheads or walleyes with Bill, Dean, Robert, and Rob; the trips he made to Minnesota with his granddaughter Stephanie; and the yearly hunting trips to Elk River or White Bird with his grandson Rob and son-in-law Robert.
He will be forever missed by his many hunting buddies, friends, and surviving family, including his sister Arlene Rialson; his daughter Patricia Anne (Holznagel) Strope and her husband Robert Allan Strope, grandson Robert Allan Strope Jr., granddaughter Stephanie Michelle (Strope) Denham and her husband Walter John Denham III, and great granddaughters Annabelle Jane Denham and Juliette Claire Denham; and daughter Debra Lynn Holznagel and sons William Eric Holznagel and Dean Norman Holznagel.
He is preceded in death by parents, his wife of over 40 years, Marilyn Jane (Swanson) Holznagel, brother Russell Holznagel, and his sisters Evelyn Henry and Eulalia “Sis” Herder Sogge.
On behalf of Les and the entire family we would like to thank all those who helped over the past several years caring for Les. Al and Cheryl Karnowski, the best neighbors anyone could hope for, Encompass Home Health, the dedicated doctors and staff of the Boise Veterans’ Hospital’s Silver Team, and the VA Community Living Center Hospice and Palliative Care Unit. A very special thank you to, Dr. Kris Schamber and nurses Brodi Palmer and Becky Rogers of the VA, we are convinced that without their loving care and support we would not have had these last few years with him.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to CLC Willow House by contacting the Voluntary Services at the Boise VA (208) 422-1175.