Lester Markel

Lester John Markel East Wenatchee, WA Lester John Markel, 79, of East Wenatchee, WA, went to meet his Lord and Savior on Monday, September 28, 2015, after a brief illness. He was born in Bismarck, ND on February 9, 1936, to Louis and Clara Markel. His family then moved to Yakima, WA, where he attended St. Paul's grade school and graduated from Marquette High School in 1953. He enlisted in the Army at the age of 17, and was shipped to Korea as an Ammunition's Storage Specialist. Upon his discharge, he met Carolyn French, the love of his life. They were married on July 13, 1957, in Yakima, WA. They soon moved to Wenatchee, WA, where he was subsequently employed by Alcoa for 37 years. He retired in 2000, and the following year, he drove his motor home to Alaska and ferried to Kodiak Island. An offer for a halibut fishing trip from his son, Jon, on a 110' crab boat, was the highlight of the trip. He was passionate about the outdoors. He loved bow hunting elk with his son and grandsons, particularly in the Colockum hills above Wenatchee. He was a familiar site and well known as "the cowboy" on the Columbia River and the mouth of the Methow River in his Livingston boat, fishing for steelhead at Peteros, WA, where he also made several friends whom he would meet year after year. A favorite pastime he loved was playing golf with his Alcoa buddies and best friends at Rock Island Golf Course. Les is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Carolyn; his four children: daughter, Patti Olson (Daryl) of Longview, WA; son, Jon Markel of Wenatchee, WA; daughter, Lisa Johnson (Greg) of Wenatchee, WA; and son, Steve Markel (Sheena) of Sammamish, WA; grandchildren: Chris Sickles, Heather Inks (Rob), Shane Markel (Brittney), Cameron Markel, Brennan Johnson, Shalee Johnson, Jocelyn Mosher; and six great-grandchildren, all of Wenatchee, WA. His loving brother, Jim Markel, and wife, Pat of East Wenatchee, WA; twin sisters, Paulene Siebol (Dave) and Paulette Wetch all of Yakima, WA; and a dear friend and "adopted" daughter, Anita Forester of Virginia, MN. Our gratitude to the staff and caregivers at Bonaventure in E. Wenatchee. They provided a loving, caring and safe environment. We also appreciate the care Les and his family received from Hospice. A special thank you to our granddaughter, Heather Inks for her love and support during this difficult time for our family. Holy Rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. Friday, October 16, 2015, at Holy Apostles church and a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Saturday, October 17, 2015 at 10 a.m. at Holy Apostles church in East Wenatchee. Following the service at 11:30 a.m., a Celebration of Life will be held at Bonaventure in East Wenatchee, located at 50 NW 29th. Donations can be made to the Wenatchee Humane Society. Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee, is taking care of arrangements.

Lester Markel

February 9, 1936 - September 28, 2015