Helen Marie Lester

Helen Marie (Pollien) Lester, age 92, of Troy entered peacefully into eternity on Tuesday, July 16th, 2024 at Silex Community Care in Silex, MO. Helen was born on March 10, 1932, in Southern Lincoln County, the daughter of Fred and Lydia Wilhelmena (Sanker) Pollien. She attended the Schroer School until 8th grade and was baptized and confirmed at the Steinhagen Rock Church in Warrenton, MO. Growing up on a farm in Southern Lincoln County with her four sisters helped to frame her love of the farm life. Helen had moved to Troy and worked at the garment factory where she met the love of her life, Leighton Edwin (Eddie) Lester. They were married in Pocahontas, Arkansas on August 7, 1952 and began their married life on the farm east of Troy. She was a homemaker and mother of four children: Jeanette Ann, Cheryl Lynn, Randy Edwin, and Robert Efton. Helen never was idle, as such, she was always involved in the farm life working alongside, Eddie. She was a wealth of knowledge about all most everything. Helen never met a stranger and was well versed in homemaking techniques and farming decisions. Together, they raised cattle, hogs, and row crops. She was able to do anything a man could do, from driving the tractor to milking the cows. Helen had a green thumb with her flowers and a bountiful garden, especially her tomatoes. She also enjoyed keeping up with friends on the phone and playing a competitive game of Skip-Bo. After Eddie’s passing, Helen missed their camping adventures and going to Old Threshers at Elsberry, MO and Mount Pleasant, IA, as well as the state fair. She spent her life on the same farm for 72 years, where she and Eddie had created a beautiful life together prior to her health declining this past year. The hill overlooking the Moscow Bottoms will never be the same without Helen’s watchful eye and telling her stories of years gone by. Helen touched the lives of many over the years and will be dearly missed. Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren will miss her love as well as those who affectionally called her “Ma”. She will forever be remembered for her selfless nature and the love she freely gave to her family and friends. Helen or “Ma” always ended her phone calls with “love you”. We loved her too. Helen is survived by her children: Cheryl (Mark) Twellman of Silex, MO, Randy Lester (Angie Kientzy) of Troy, MO, and Robert Lester (Kelly Neithardt) of Troy, MO; one son-in-law, George Van Beek, of Troy, MO; grandchildren: Jenna (Dustin) Fry of Kansas City, MO, Christy (Mitch) Layton of St. Peters, MO, Jeffrey (Brandelyn) Twellman of Silex, MO, Caitlyn Twellman of Silex, MO, and Elizabeth Lester of Troy, MO; great grandchildren: Linden and Renly Fry, Leighton Twellman, and Jolie Layton; one sister-in-law, Glenda (Bruce) Fitzgerald of Troy, MO and one brother-in-law, Carl Herzberg of Wentzville, MO, many nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eddie Lester; her daughter, Jeanette VanBeek; her parents, Fred and Lydia Pollien; sisters: Lillian Strack, Dorothy Herzberg, Ida Mae Gerding and Anna Marie Warner brothers-in-law: Leroy Strack, Ralph Gerding and Harold Warner. Family and friends will be received from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 19, 2024 at KEMPER-KEIM Family Funeral Chapel located at 351 Monroe Street Troy, MO 63379. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, July 20, 2024 at KEMPER-KEIM Family Funeral Chapel in Troy, MO. Interment will be held at the Thornhill Cemetery in Troy, MO. In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made to Thornhill Cemetery or Moscow Mills Lions Club, in care of Kemper-Keim Family Funeral Chapel P.O. Box 222 Troy, MO 63379. Arrangements are under the direction of Kemper-Keim Family Funeral Chapel; 351 Monroe Street Troy, MO 63379. Online condolences may be made at www.kemperkeimfamilyfuneralchapel.com Phone 636 528-8221

Helen Marie Lester

March 10, 1932 - July 16, 2024