Lester Trnka

Lester J. Trnka, 76, of Fargo, ND, passed away Friday, January 28, 2011 at Rosewood on Broadway in Fargo. Les Trnka was born on June 15, 1934 at Beaulieu, MN. He was the youngest of 8 born to Joseph and Ethel (Busse) Trnka. He grew up on the family farm until moving to Mahnomen with his parents in 1946 and graduated from Mahnomen High School in 1951. Les worked various jobs before serving in the 4th Infantry Division in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1959. Les continued his education at UND obtaining both an undergraduate degree in physical education and law degree in 1966. He married Roberta Jarrett in 1960 and they established their home in Oakes, ND, where he practiced law. They moved to Fargo, ND in 1981. In 1990, Les retired and moved to Tulaby Lake, MN, where he had a successful career as a real estate appraiser. He married Sharon Mark in 2002. Les and Sharon enjoyed their summers on the lake and frequent vacations to Florida. As a proud Fighting Sioux Football player, Les enjoyed supporting his alumni throughout his lifetime. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Mark; daughter, Katherine, Minneapolis, MN; 3 sons, Joseph (Jeni), Minneapolis, MN, Michael (Lisa), St. Cloud, MN, John (Susan), Fargo, ND; 2 stepdaughters, Michelle, Miami, FL, Kristi, Longmont, CO; a sister, Betty Kezar, Thief River Falls, MN; sisters-in-law Cecelia Trnka, Mahnomen, MN, Dorothy Trnka, Barnesville, MN; 10 grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Stanley (Bud), Arthur, Marvin, David, and Glen; and sister Alene Krajsa Hendrickson. Visitation: Monday, January 31, 2011, 5PM to 7PM with a prayer service at 7PM, Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo. Funeral Service: Tuesday, February 1, 2011, at 2PM, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fargo. Memorials are preferred to Dakota Boys Ranch or Bethlehem Lutheran Church.