Lester W. Holben, 78 of Spearfish, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at the Spearfish Regional Hospital.

Lester was born on August 14, 1932 in Hulett, WY to George A. and Pearl (Fowlkes) Holben, a two generation pioneer famiy. His mother and father moved to Spearfish from Wyoming in 1941. He graduated from Spearfish High School in 1952, where he received the class Best Sportsman Award. He attended Black Hills State College for two years and joined the Air Force in 1954 serving in the Philippines, Guam, Okinawa and Ellsworth Air Force Base, where he was trained as a B-36 mechanic and received the Airman of the Month award. He married the love of his life, Phyllis Ferguson, in Laurens, Iowa on June 16, 1963. He was also a 50 year member of the Masonic Lodge and Naja Shrine Cowboy Patrol. His brother Marston has said the best way to describe Lester is "He loved his family, worked hard, had high integrity, had many friends and was the nicest guy he ever knew . . . bar none." He loved his life's work as a trucker and cattle rancher from which he retired in 1990. He always kept in touch with aunts, uncles, cousins, family and friends. He will be missed by many and heaven is getting one super guy.

Lester is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Phyllis, of Spearfish, sons, Jim (Geni) and Dan (Marcie); grandchildren, Nicholas, Zachary, Stran, Shaylie; his younger brother, Marston (Marian), close friends, Bill (Emmy) Rollin and Dr. Forrest (Sharon) Brady and their children, Rachel and Dan. He was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother Melbourne.

A celebration of life will be at 2:00 P.M. on Monday, May 16, 2011 at the United Methodist Church in Spearfish, with Pastor Dar Berkenpas officiating. Private family burial will take place at Black Hills National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established or donations may be sent to a charity of your choice.