Johnny Lessner, age 85, of New Rockford, ND, formerly of Carrington, ND, died Saturday, October 10, 2009, at Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd in New Rockford, ND.

Johnny was born on January 12, 1924 in Sykeston, ND, the son of John Oscar and Grace (Henderson) Lessner. He grew up in Sykeston and attended school there.   Johnny joined the Army in 1944 and served in the European Theatre until 1946.He later moved to Seattle, WA, where he worked in the construction business.

In 1948, he married Kathleen Dooley. She died in 1958.  Johnny retired in 1983 as an active member in the Seattle Union of Operating Engineers.

In 1987, Johnny married Jean Gulseth and they moved to Carrington, ND in 1988.

He was a member of the Sykeston American Legion, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the Carrington Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Carrington Cooties Organization. Johnny served as President of the Carrington Lions Club for two years and on the Council of Aging for three years. He also did a lot of volunteer service in both Carrington nursing homes.

Johnny is survived by his wife Jean, two step children, Terri (Ron) Love, Arlington, WA, and Gini Johnson, Snohomish, WA; two sisters, Maxine “Toots” Cobb, Seattle, WA and Dorothy “Dutchie” (Raymond) Sittauer  of Edmonds, WA; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Kathleen; three sisters Marvelle Supplee, Eleanor Ropp, Loretta (June) Douglass; a brother Leo (Tuffy) Lessner, and stepson Tom Gulseth.

Funeral Service: St. John’s Catholic Church, New Rockford, ND

Date and Time: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 10:30 AM

Interment: St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Cemetery, Sykeston, ND