Robert Dale Ageson

Lester, Iowa 

 Robert Ageson, age 82, of Lester Iowa passed away on November 29, 2024, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls South Dakota from complications with COPD and heart failure.

  A private family service will be held on Wednesday, December 4th, with burial to follow at Hillside Cemetery in Lester, IA.

  Robert Dale Ageson was born on March 17, 1942, to Harold and Vivian (Oliver) Ageson. He was the first of four children. Except for a few months in infancy and a few months in his early twenties, Robert lived in Lester his entire life. He was very proud of where he came from.

  His childhood was filled with mischief. Running away from school to hang out with the hobos by the train tracks, fighting anyone who would take the challenge, driving trucks before he had a driver’s license, and racing cars and motorcycles with his friends. He also loved playing chess and listening to fight night on the radio with his uncle Henry Peters.

  The fun continued with many trips to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. First with his dad and brother, and then with Brad, Shelley and the Wilke family. He enjoyed chasing tornadoes with Shelley. He also loved to push sprint cars with his propane powered Chevrolet.

  Though she wasn’t so sure, he was positive he met the love of his life, Nelva Van Holland, while attending Lester High School. He made sure all the other guys knew he’d fight them for her. She finally gave in and on March 30, 1961, they were married. They had four children: Bradley, Cindy, Steven (Toby) and Shelley. Robert ran a feed grinder early in their marriage, and then began driving 18 wheelers hauling cattle and draft horses to the west coast. He quit the long-haul bit in 1983 and began driving a road grader for the Lyon County Secondary Road Division. A job he kept until his declining health forced him into “early” retirement in October 2019 at the age of 77. He took pride in a job well done. He loved every job he ever had and truly never “worked” a day in his life.

  He loved to reminisce and tell stories of all his adventures to anyone who would listen. He never met a stranger in his life.

  He was a member of the Bethel Reformed Church in Lester, serving as a deacon and RCYF leader. He faithfully read his Bible and kept a list of people to pray for. With his health rapidly failing in the hospital and no cure was to be found, he confidently said “Don’t worry, God will heal me.”

  Left to cherish his memory are Nelva, his wife of 63 years, son Bradley (Lisa) Ageson, daughter Cindy (Edward) Klingensmith, son Steven (Anne) Ageson, daughter Shelley (Troy) Kampmann, 10 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren (2 more on the way), his sister Cheryl Monen, sister-in-law Linda Ageson, brother-in-law Albert (Betty) Van Holland, sister-in-law Rebecca (Jeff) Ives, uncle Roger (Carol) Oliver, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

  He is proceeded in death by his parents, sister Sharon (Leo) Carolan, brother Paul Ageson, brother-in-law Roger Monen, his in-laws Gerrit and Jennie Van Holland, brother-in-law Rev. Edwin Van Holland, brother-in-law Gerrit Van Holland, Jr., niece Jackie Van Holland, nephew Jordan Monen, and many other beloved, extended family members.

  Robert would tell you “Run what you brung and go til she blows!” He sure did. Blessed be his memory.