Lester "Les" Barbknecht

LESTER “LES” WAYNE BARBKNECHT, age 83, of Waseca died on Saturday, April 8, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family, following a short battle with Pancreatic Cancer.

Born to Helmuth and Clara (Klinger) Barbknecht on April 18, 1939, in Waseca. Les attended Waseca Country School and Waseca Central High School. On August 12, 1961, he was united in marriage to Sue Johnson at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waseca.

Les was raised on a farm in rural Janesville. He spent the majority of his career as an auto mechanic. He owned Les’ DX gas station in Waseca for two years. He then worked at Pure Oil/Union 76, Hasselquist Pontiac/Buick/GMC, Countryside Motors, and Gambles Hardware. In retirement, Les worked at Waseca Lakeside Club and First National Bank. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville. In his free time, he enjoyed collecting antique farm equipment and attending pioneer power shows. Les especially enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Les is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sue Barbknecht of Waseca; children, Lori Barbknecht of Waseca, Larry Barbknecht of rural Waseca, Robert (Andrea) Barbknecht of Eden Prairie; grandchildren, Amanda Balk, Brittany Henkensiefken, Sara Henkensiefken, Abbi Barbknecht, Anna Barbknecht, and Luke Barbknecht; siblings, Wayne (Rosanne) Barbknecht of rural Janesville, and Donald (Barbara) Barbknecht of Monmouth, OR; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law; two brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law.

Les’ family would like to offer a special thank you to the Allina Hospice Team for their compassion and care.

Visitation will be from 4 - 7 PM on Monday, April 17, 2023, at the Third Street Chapel of Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral and Cremation Service in Waseca. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.

Funeral Service will be 11:00 AM on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville with Rev. Kristian Bjornstad officiating. Interment will be in St. John Trinity Lutheran in Iosco Township, Waseca County.