Al Edward Lester was called back by our Creator on October 8, 2015. He was born on February 20, 1940. His birth name was Arthur Ghostbull, Jr. He was a member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, baptized as a Catholic, and his Cheyenne name was Ant, Hatseshe. He was a resident at the Heritage Living Center, in Ashland, Mt. Al attended and graduated at St. Labre Catholic School in Ashland, Mt. He joined the military service when he was nineteen. Al served as a Navy aircraft electrical repairman from September 28, 1959 to March 11, 1960, stationed at U.S. Naval Station in Adak, Alaska and received an honorable discharge. He was recommended for reenlistment on May 24, 1963, served again as an electrical repairman to aircrafts, stationed at U.S.S. Kearsarge at Long Beach, CA. and received an honorable discharge on April 16, 1965.
Al owned and operated a coffee shop in Fresno, CA and was a professional cook for various restaurants in CA. He worked until he became disabled. He loved to play basketball and was also a golden glove boxer. He enjoyed playing poker, keno, fishing, gardening, attending pow-wows, and Native American music. He loved his grandchildren, socializing with friends and family, and always supported family gatherings and functions.
Al married Lois Lester; they had one son and daughter, Guy and Tina Lester. In 1983 he married Carlene Walkingeagle, they had one son Al Edward Lester Jr. and one stepdaughter Lotene Hairychin.
Al is preceded in death by his father Arthur Ghostbull and mother Ethel Woodenlegs Shoulderblade, his adopted parents, Guy and Nellie Harris Lester. Children; Guy Lester and Al Edward Lester, Jr. brothers; Carl, Thomas, Wendell, and Francis Shoulderblade. Sisters; Alice, Claudia, and Carrie Shoulderblade. Nieces; Kathryn Shoulderblade and Wendeline Niess, Nephews; Vincent, Bernadine, Wendell, Jr., Francis and Dennis Shoulderblade.
Al is survived by his daughter Tina Lester, stepdaughter Lotene Hairychin, sister Fern Shoulderblade, Nieces; Marcelline and Mary Shoulderblade, Wilma Twomoons, Shirley, Annette, Esther, Serena Brady, and Irene Flying, Nephews; Don (Ruthie) Shoulderblade, Raymond, Calvin Brady, and Larry Sioux. Al is survived by numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Extended families are; Shoulderblade, Woodenleg, Glenmore, Seminole, and Fisher. If we overlooked relatives we apologize.
Al had many friends and family members who loved him. We will miss his grand stories and his generosity. We thank the staff of Heritage Living Center for their loving care and support to Al and our family.
Service Schedule
Traditional Wake
7:00 pm
Monday October 12, 2015
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Parish
630 Cheyenne Ave.
Lame Deer, MT 59043
Funeral Service
11:00 am
Tuesday October 13, 2015
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Parish
630 Cheyenne Ave.
Lame Deer, MT 59043
Service Schedule
Traditional Wake
7:00 pm
Monday October 12, 2015
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Parish
630 Cheyenne Ave.
Lame Deer, MT 59043
Funeral Service
11:00 am
Tuesday October 13, 2015
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Parish
630 Cheyenne Ave.
Lame Deer, MT 59043
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Tia Fighting Bear says
AL i was very fortunate to take care of you thanks for all the memories I will always hold you in my heart.
Julie & John Maldonado says
Miss you Al, love ya. My Condolences to Lotene, kids and the rest of his family. A great honor to have been in your life. You will be missed friend.
Michael and Marian Sioux says
Our Prayers & condolences are with you. We are glad that we got to visit with you the other day about when we were young kids growing up.
Heather Schonenbach says
Will miss you Al. So glad I got to know you. Thanks for the times you made me laugh/smile.
Dee says
You brightened our lives “Little Ant” luv u!
Ramon Rosas says
Al was ggod to know u. U were one of my favorite people at the Heritage Center. Always looked on the good side of things and never let anything get u down. Have a good journey.
wayne & Anita Wetherelt says
Tho I didn’t know him, sorry for your loss, our thoughts & prayers to all the families, epecially Serena & her Mom.
Kim Bement Knobloch says
Thoughts and Prayers to the family, I was very fortunate to have known Al and he told me many stories about his life and family. He will be greatly missed by all who had the opportunity to be a part of his life.
Cindy Stanton says
My sympathy to Al’s family and friends. I always thought he was amazing. ….how he found his way around so well even tho he could barely see. He was kind, generous, funny and humble. You will be missed Al.
Synobia says
Al lived with us while he was in billings when I was little. Prayers to the family
Brian Crane says
I am sorry to say I did not know Al, but my grandmother Verna Lester Horning was a sister of his adopted father Guy Lester. My mother tells me that Al’s adopted parents were married in my grandparent’s house in Spokane. My mom was only about four years old, but she says she remembers being a flower girl at the wedding, and that Al’s adopted mother Nell was very beautiful. My own parents moved to Pittsburgh, so we lost touch with a lot of family over the years. I had planned to write a letter to Al, but I’m very sorry to see that I waited too long. My condolences to all of Al’s family.