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Lerton Zander Obituary
Lert was born November 19, 1949, in Hutchinson, MN, the son of Ralph and Ila (Quinn) Zander. He grew up on the family farm outside of Howard Lake and graduated from Howard Lake High School in 1967.
After graduation, Lert began his career in the telecommunications industry as a lineman with United Telephone Systems in Osseo, MN. Taking advantage of his training opportunities, Lert advanced into a management position working in Long Prairie and Alexandria, MN. He continued to work as a manager through Sprint's purchase of United Telephone Systems, retiring in 2001.
In the fall of 1992, he joked that he started working for his wife when they purchased Long Prairie Sanitary Service (a refuse hauling business). When he retired from Sprint, he joined her full-time. Together, they expanded the area they served and added a roll-off business, working together until September 2013, when they both retired.
Over the years, Lert and Lona enjoyed spending their summers at Lake Osakis and traveling in their RV. They took multiple trips to Alaska and around the United States. Their favorite trips were RV caravan trips to Alaska and around the Grand Canyon. For 8 years, they enjoyed spending their winters at Desert Gardens RV Park outside of Florence, AZ.
Surviving are his wife, Lona, and children: Jennifer (David) Baumgart of Willmar and Christopher (Tracy) Zander of Roseville; five grandchildren: John "Jack" (fiancé, Abigail Bollig) Baumgart, Andrew Baumgart, Ila Baumgart, Aidan Zander, and Avery Zander. Also surviving are his sisters: Gwen (Kenton) Corum of Portland, OR and Laura (Jerry) Latzig of Buffalo; and brother, Walter (Lynn) Zander of Salinas, CA.
Open House Celebration of Life to be held
on Saturday, July 19, 2025 beginning at 11:00 am
at the Zander's Lake Osakis family home. Stories will be shared beginning at 1:00 pm, please bring a story to share.
If you are unable to attend and have a story you'd like to share, please send it to us or include it in the Legacy.com guestbook.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
6 Entries
Ronald Woodworth
December 18, 2024
I met them 0n the way to Alaska
Laura Zander Latzig
November 19, 2024
Happy Birthday big brother Lert, today, November 19th. I know you are celebrating in heaven. I will always remember the get togethers to cut and package beef and the wonderful times we all had at your house on the lake. I love and miss you!
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Jim and Dorothy Buckmeier
November 10, 2024
We will always remember Lerts laughter and meeting him and Lona in Alaska! He will be missed by so many people!! Love you Lert RIP until we meet again!!
Roger and Mary Ann Keith
November 10, 2024
Lert will be missed very much. He was the kindest, most generous friend. He was a neighbor in Desert Gardens in Arizona and was always there to help with anything needed. Lert was known as "the smartest guy on the block" because everyone went to him when they couldn´t figure something out - like setting up a smart tv, fixing some plumbing problem, getting a golf cart running. He and Lona were there for us when we had health issues and had to move from our RV into a park model. If we couldn´t be in the park, he was there to take care of things for us. His sense of humor always made us laugh and his advice was always welcome. We loved just sitting and sharing stories and the time with him. Again, he will be missed and always in our hearts. Roger and Mary Ann Keith
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