Lester Hines, age 94, of Ellsworth, Wisconsin, peacefully passed away at the River Falls Area Hospital on the evening of July 13, 2022. Lester was born December 23, 1927 in Ellsworth, Wisconsin to Joseph and Emma (Seifert) Hines.

Lester married Joyce Weber at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Elmwood, Wisconsin, on August 6, 1946. Their union was blessed with five boys and four girls. As Lester would say, “I was in a rhythm”. Lester and Joyce raised their beautiful family on the Hines Ranch outside of Ellsworth.  Lester worked for Hines Transfer for 40 years before retiring. However, he never truly retired as he drove for local companies such as Madison Freightway and Quinn Motors. Lester also served as a volunteer firefighter for the Ellsworth Fire Department for over 35 years.

Lester and Joyce raised their family with love, respect, and humor. Family breakfasts were part of their routine finding out the latest with each family, while at the same time poking fun at each other. Lester always looked forward to deer hunting. Hines Holy Week, as it was called, was shared at Al’s Lodge where food, drinks, and plenty of fun were abundant. He never missed a family outing, period! Lester was also active in several organizations that brought him great pleasure. He was a charter member of the Ellsworth Rod and Gun Club, and loved bundling up with the Rush River Trail Rider Snowmobile Club. As the kids were growing up, they camped all over. It is surprising they came back with all the kids as they had them running in every direction. Amazingly, he and Joyce traveled to every state in the United States! He could get anywhere but never could tell you how to get there! If you thought his calendar was full, he and Joyce served twenty-seven years as bailiffs for the Pierce County Court System. More recently, he enjoyed watching NASCAR and golf. At the same time, he was fond of trying his wits watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy.

Lester is survived by his nine children, Joe (Judy) Hines, Betty (Dennis) Nelson, Sue (Charlie) Graetz, Alan (Sheila Harsdorf) Hines, Dean (Becky) Hines, Dale (Julie) Hines, Wally (Lisa) Hines, Wanda (Butch) Kinneman, and DiAnn (Jim) Fuchs, along with 22 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; sister Maxine Close; and many nieces, nephews and other family members.

Lester is preceded in death by his wife of 74 years, Joyce; parents; daughter-in-law Sharon Hines; siblings, Bernard (Geraldine) Hines, Richard (Doris) Hines, Walter (Avis) Hines, Leonard (Helen) Hines;  and brother-in-law, Mike Close.

Mass of Christian burial will take place 12PM Noon Saturday July 16, 2022 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Ellsworth, Wisconsin with visitation starting at 9AM. The service will be live streamed at https://youtu.be/k3TLauZO1H0. Interment will be at St. Francis Cemetery following mass with casketbearers being Adam Hines, Troy Graetz, Ashley Pritchard, Chace Kinneman, Matt Nelson, Parker Hines, Jerad Fuchs, and Claire Meyer. Memorials preferred to the discretion of the family and will be used to further Lester’s passions in life.

Funeral services entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Ellsworth.