Lester Dale Prater (1941-2025)

Lester Dale Prater, retired ironworker and lifelong Hobart resident, passed away Tuesday at the age of 84. He worked at Hobart Foundry & Machine for 38 years, the last several of which he spent doing something no one could fully explain but which he described as “keeping an eye on things.”

Lester was known for his wood shop, his strong opinions about snow removal, and his refusal to eat anything described as a “fusion.” He served two terms on the Proctor County Water Advisory Board and attended every home Bobcats game from 1971 through 2019, when his knees gave out on the bleachers.

He is survived by his wife, Darlene; his daughters, Connie and Bev; four grandchildren; and one dog of uncertain breed. Services will be held at Hobart First Methodist. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, you simply show up.