Anne Lezer

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Anne Clarissa Lezer, age 92, of Sauk Rapids passed away peacefully with family by her side on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at home.  Memorial services will be held Monday, December 9, 2024 at 11 AM at New Life Church in Foley.  Visitation will take place from 6 - 8 PM Sunday at New Life Church in Foley and continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.

Anne was born in rural Blomkest, MN at home on the family farm on May 31, 1932. She was the second child of five born to Martin and Clara (Westra) Hoekstra. She graduated from Willmar High School in 1950. After high school she worked at the Willmar State Hospital and Litchfield Produce in the clerical field. On January 29, 1954, she married the love of her life Edman Lezer in a ceremony at Litchfield Covenant Church. Together, they had 3 biological children and were foster parents to 21 children throughout the years. Ed & Anne purchased a farm in Gilmanton township in 1957 where they raised crops, cattle, and poultry. Anne was a follower of Jesus, having a personal relationship with Him from early childhood. She was involved in many church activities as a Sunday School teacher and a Sunday School superintendent. She was also involved in the Popple Creekers 4-H Club and was a DNR State Fire Warden for 37 years. Ed & Anne were recognized as Benton County “Farmer of the Year” in 1990. They retired from farming in 1991 and enjoyed wintering in Florida, Arizona, and Texas. Anne came “out of retirement” in 1994 to assist her brother, Ted, in doing full-time clerical work for Ted’s RV Land until retiring again in December of 2008. 

Anne was preceded in death by her husband, her infant son, her parents Martin and Clara (Westra) Hoekstra, her siblings Clarence (Betty) Hoekstra, Ted (Delores) Hoekstra, brother-in-law Charles Peterson; in-laws Esther (Gale) Kasperk, Donna (Al) Foss, and Danny (Rendy) Lezer. 

Anne is survived by her children Doug (Lori) Lezer, Nancy (Dean) Dahlstrom, and foster son Tim (Marcia) Jurek; grandchildren Ryan (Nicole) Lezer, Cody (Jenny) Lezer, Amy (Ben) Hageman, Kayla (Carter) Ash, Darin (Abby) Dahlstrom, Megan (Zack) Ziwicki, Kimberly (Felix) Valanzasca, Sherrie (Matt) Beck, Tammy Jurek; great-grandchildren Kyla, Leddy, Roux Lezer; Lydia, Logan, Dylan Lezer; Caden, Rowan, and Landon Hageman; Brinley, Levi, Adelyn Ash; Theo, Thatcher Dahlstrom; Asher Ziwicki; Luca, Jax, Ini Valanzasca; Nick & Abby Beck; siblings Martha Peterson, Connie (Mark) Johnson, in-laws Jim (Mary Lou) Lezer, Dennis (Gwen) Lezer, and many nieces, nephews & cousins. 

The family expresses a special thanks to CentraCare Health Homecare and Hospice for the outstanding and compassionate care of Anne during her final days.