Lester M. Moeller

Lester Marvin Moeller, age 91, of Preston, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Genesis East Medical Center in Davenport.

Lester was born on July 26, 1934, the son of Fred and Lillian (Aude) Moeller. He grew up learning the value of hard work on the family farm and graduated from Miles High School in 1952, where he enjoyed playing on the basketball team.

Lester’s life forever changed at the Col Ballroom in Davenport when he first laid eyes on Alice Scheper. He always said he "saw her and that was it." They were united in marriage on March 1, 1959. Their beautiful 65-year marriage was defined by deep devotion to each other and their family.

A lifelong, dedicated farmer, Lester took over the heavy lifting on the family farm early on to help his father, who suffered from arthritis. He was a steward of the land, winning farming awards and becoming one of the first in his area to implement crop conservation rotation. Lester was also on the Jackson County Pork Producers board for many years. Even in retirement, Lester couldn't stay away from the fields. He continued to help haul corn, run the combine, and was still proudly driving a tractor well into his 80s.

Lester was a man of many passions. He collected Oliver tractors and was a gifted woodworker—a hobby he picked up in high school. He crafted beautiful furniture, end tables, lamps, and display cases in his garage workshop. Christmas was an especially joyful time for Lester; he loved setting up lights and creating wooden holiday decorations for the yard. He was also a die-hard Iowa Hawkeyes basketball fan, especially fond of Caitlin Clark, and always made sure his family and friends knew when a game was on.

He made sure his family experienced the world, taking them on a vacation every summer. Cherished family memories were made on trips to Yellowstone, Georgia's Stone Mountain, Nashville, Niagara Falls, and Florida, along with memorable Amtrak train trips to the Grand Canyon, Colorado Silverton Durango Train, as well as the Boone Scenic Railroad.

Known by his family to have "nine lives," Lester survived his fair share of farm injuries, breaks, and stitches. Though he could be quiet and reserved later in life, he remained fiercely independent. He enjoyed putting together puzzles, helping in Alice's garden, tending meticulously to his yard into his 90s, and riding his three-wheeled bicycle around town. Above all, he was a devoted family man who dearly loved his grandchildren.

Lester will be deeply missed by his four children, Carmen (Jason) Moeller-Oostenryk of Davenport, Bruce Moeller of St. Petersburg, FL, Pauline (Malik) Mwamba of Houston, TX, and Paul (Gene) Moeller of Preston; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren, with one more on the way.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Alice, who passed away in 2024; his son, Leon Moeller; his parents, Fred and Lillian; two sisters, Jeanetta Schepler and Lucille Schroeder; his brother, Gilbert Moeller; and an infant brother, Raymond Moeller.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 19th, at St Johns Lutheran Church in Preston. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Miles Cemetery.