Lester Earl Land Jr.

Lester E. Land, Jr., 70, of Warsaw, passed away at his son's home in Hamilton at 1:45 AM, Tuesday, October 28, 2025.
Lester was born on December 26, 1954, in Keokuk, Iowa, the son of Lester E. and Joyce Elaine (Tripp) Land. He graduated from Keokuk High School in 1973. He served in the U. S. Navy from 1975 until his Honorable Discharge in 1979 achieving the rank SM2(E-5). During his service he traveled the world and especially enjoyed the Middle East and Africa eventually crossing the equator on the U.S.S. Capodanno. He later hitchhiked across the country with friends attending concerts and seeing new places. Lester also enjoyed fishing, camping and mushroom hunting and was an avid pool player. On February 13, 2000, he was united in marriage to Jill Van Ausdall in Warsaw. She preceded him in death in June of this year.
Lester was a lifelong carpenter working in construction and was well known for his roofing skills. He worked for Carl A. Nelson construction and had also worked for Steel Castings in Keokuk for over 10 years.
Lester is survived by his sons, Dustin (Shannon) Masterson of Keokuk and Caleb Land of Hamilton; stepsons, Wesley (Danielle) Sansom of Tucson, AZ and Sean Rose of Jacksonville, Il; grandchildren, Lucas, Kyle, Adyn and Lathan; a brother, Anthony Land of Hamilton; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Jill; daughter, Barbara Masterson; and siblings, Kenny and Robert and Joy Lynn and Donald in infancy.
Family will meet friends from 9:00 – 11:00 AM Saturday morning, November 1, 2025, at Printy Funeral Home in Warsaw with burial to follow in Oakland Cemetery in Warsaw with military rites rendered by the U.S. Navy and the Hancock County Honor Guard. Printy Funeral Home of Warsaw is in charge of arrangements.