Service Information
Dr. Lester E. Schuft, age 86, of Hutchinson, Minnesota, father of Sherry McCormick, passed away on Monday, February 19, 2024, at Woodstone Assisted Living in Hutchinson.
Funeral Service will be held Saturday, March 2, 2024, 11:00 A.M., at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, with interment in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Brownton, Minnesota.
Visitation will be held Friday, March 1, 2024, from 4:00-8:00 P.M., at Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hutchinson, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.
Military Honors by Hutchinson Memorial Rifle Squad.
The family invites all musicians and music lovers to a Polka Party following the Funeral Service on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at 3:30 P.M., at the VFW Post 906 in Hutchinson.
Memorial Service will be live streamed via https://boxcast.tv/channel/zvdrxihkuj5fumpydotn
Obituary
Lester Edwin Schuft was born on October 1, 1937, in Glencoe, Minnesota. He was the son of Albert and Hertha (Ostermann) Schuft. Lester was baptized as an infant and later confirmed in his faith as a youth, both at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Brownton, Minnesota. He received his education in Brownton and attended Immanuel Lutheran School from kindergarten through grade 8 and was a graduate of the Brownton High School Class of 1956. Lester continued his education at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, and earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Chemistry, Biology, and Psychology in 1960. While attending Gustavus Adolphus College, he played in the school’s symphony band and led the pep band. Lester furthered his education at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota, receiving his master’s degree in Biochemistry and Psychology in 1964 and his Doctorate Degree in Dentistry and Oral Surgery in 1966. While at the University of Minnesota, Lester was a Psychology Counselor from 1963-1966. Later, in 2006, Lester earned a Faith Builder Ministry Degree through the ELCA Lutheran Church.
Lester entered active military service in the United States Army on December 5, 1966, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He served as Captain in the 204th Medical Battalion Co. A, Director of the Battalion Band, Military Dentist, Instructor of Dental Assistants, and a chemical, biological, and radiological instructor. Lester received an Honorable Discharge on December 4, 1972.
On June 4, 1967, Lester was united in marriage to Shirley A. Mackenthun at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Hamburg, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with two children, Curtis and Sherry. Lester and Shirley resided in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, before making their home in Hutchinson, Minnesota in 1968. They shared 42 years of marriage prior to the passing of Shirley on October 16, 2009.
Lester was employed as a dentist from 1967-1996, first in Robbinsdale, then opening his own practice in Hutchinson. He went on to be an account executive and guest host for KDUZ-KARP-KGLB Radio and owned two Prairie House restaurants, Waconia, Minnesota, and Elk River, Minnesota. Lester was an active member of Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson and served on the Board of Elders and as Treasurer for Sunday School. He was also a member of the Hutchinson American Legion Post 96, Brownton American Legion Post 143, Hutchinson Kiwanis, McLeod County Ducks Unlimited, McLeod County Pheasants Forever, Tri-County Dental Society, Minnesota Dental Association, Delta Sigma Delta Dental Fraternity, and was one of the Christian Band Directors in Hutchinson. Lester was also a large promoter of agriculture for the county and state.
Lester picked up a trumpet for the first time in 1948. From that moment on, his life was never the same. He played through grade school and continued playing through college and after. Lester played for all events, big and small, including birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, Gibbon Polka Days, and even played several times on both the Big Joe Polka Show and Mollie B Polka Party Show. He was extremely active on the local radio, KDUZ, hosting his own Country Dutchmen Radio Show and the Musicians Round Up Show in Hutchinson every Wednesday morning for twenty-six years. Lester was part owner of Little Crow Record Company in Hutchinson as well as owner of Red Rose Records. He has made sixteen records over the years, his most recent being released in 2022. Lester was also the owner and operator of his own band, Lester Schuft and The Country Dutchmen, for over 63 years. He was acknowledged for his musical accomplishments and accepted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame in April of 2022.
Lester moved into Woodstone Active Living in Hutchinson in May of 2023. Then after a diagnosis on February 8, 2024, of an aggressive stage 4 colon cancer, he was moved to Woodstone Assisted Living on Hospice and passed away on Monday, February 19, 2024, in Hutchinson, at the age of 86 years.
“Faith, Family, Friends, and in that order.” – Lester E. Schuft
Blessed be his memory.
Lester is survived by his:
Loving and Devoted Daughter, Sherry McCormick and her significant other, Michael Knorr of Waconia, MN;
Daughter-in-law, Kristen Schuft of Hutchinson, MN;
Grandchildren, Eamonn McCormick of Hutchinson, MN,
Eavan McCormick and her fiancé, Jessica Logue of Saint Peter, MN,
and Cooper Schuft of Hutchinson, MN;
Sister-in-law, Carol Pumper of Chaska, MN;
Niece, Michelle Heinze and husband John, and family of Rosemount, MN;
Special Friends, Sheri Pearson of Hutchinson, MN, Scott and Shannon Streich of rural Stewart, MN;
Best Furry Friend and Companion, his cat, Louie Schuft,
many other relatives and friends.
Lester is preceded in death by his Parents, Albert and Hertha Schuft; Wife, Shirley Schuft; Son, Curtis Schuft; Parents-in-law, Albert and Olga Mackenthun; Brothers-in-law, Robert Pumper, Maynard Mackenthun and his wife, Marion.
Robin Baysinger says
Sherry so sorry for your loss. Please reach out if there is anything I can do for you.
Nancy Ellefson says
Lester was my KDUZ ad rep for many years. Always interesting to visit with. Rest in peace, Lester.
Brad Emans says
Lester was the most active supporter of the city and the large surrounding rural community.
My first introduction to Lester is when he played for the HFD Fireman’s Dance, decades ago!!
As the years past, I would find myself visiting with Lester at the FD Open House, at KDUZ, the Fair Grounds, & his famous/successful Farm-City Day … one could go on and on no doubt!
What a delightful person!
I can assure you Sherry, Lester will not be forgotten, he has left his mark!
A true loss!
God Bless!
Michele (Dammann) Schroeder says
My sympathies to the family of Lester. He was such a strong advocate and promoter of everything good happening in Hutchinson, Brownton and McLeod County! I loved hearing him play trumpet, enjoyed him on the radio, and visiting with him was so much fun. Not to mention, he was a snappy dresser! May your wonderful memories of Lester comfort you at this time. He was truly a legend in his own right!
Shannon Novotny says
My sympathies to Lester’s family, my dad played guitar in the Dutchmen back in the late 60’s early 70’s.
God bless
Sharae Hogan (HUbin) says
Lester pulled my first loose tooth when his office was above my father’s brew paper in Brownton. Mom and dad didn’t even know I went. He was a lovely man. Condolences Sherry.
Robin says
Worked with Lester @ the Radio station & played a lot of his Polka on the weekends I always enjoyed it just as i did his live performances. Never failed every weekend he would cruise into KARP/KDUZ, his office. He was always in a great mood, he also had the most interesting stories of his adventures in polka, life and family. Honored to known the man! Somewhere Lester is playing the Guido Polka.
Robin Banks
Kari Eischens says
Hutchinson lost a true treasure in the passing of Lester. I’m friends with Sherry and she was always talking about her father’s adventures that week. Things can be replaced, but people like Les can’t. Treasure your time with those people in your life.
Ivanelle Curtiss says
I knew Lester when I used to go to the many dances with the Polka Lovers of America and he played at them. He always knew you whether it was at a dance or in Hutchinson or wherever. He will be missed!
Dr Steve DeKoster says
Truly one of a kind..he will be missed
Darrel and Joann Sudheimer says
Lester Schuft and his band performed in the warehouse of our store in the mid 1970’s as a promotion to introduce people to our store since we were new in town. Norm Hall and several couples from the P.O.L.K.of A. club danced to the music in front of the band. The audience seating was wooden planks on cement blocks. Lesters’s band also did a show on KNUJ for several years which was sponsored by our store D&J Furniture and Floors, Fred Radde and Sons, and Medina Ballroom. We danced to his band often over the years.
Randy Asplund says
Sherry, my most heartfelt condolences at this time. I’m experiencing this at the same time as my father passed away on Saturday, February 17th. One of dad’s greatest pleasure was listening to polka music and Lester was one of his favorites. I had the opportunity to meet your father and you. I worked with your dad at the radio station for many years and there are so many stories I will remember forever. God bless his memory and peace be with you.
Shari Bernhardtt says
Will Never forget Les Always coming to Cashwise Deli! We Loved him! Always made us smile and will never forget him!! Love and Prayers to the Family!
Terri Jannusch says
Sherry, your father was such a kind gentle man. your father always had a smile whenever I saw him. You are in my thoughts & prayers. Your father is with all the angels in heaven.May he rest in peace.
Curt Burns says
Our thoughts and Prayers are with Lester’s family, I was honored to be a part of his farm forum for many years on KDUZ. His LOVE for his Faith, His Family, His Friends and the Farming Community will always be remembered. May God’s Peace be with you all.
John & Cindy Mons says
The world has lost a “one of a kind’ character. Doc was always coming up with a comment or expression that always left you smiling. I have so many fond memories of working with him over the years on all sorts of projects. It was always a pleasure to spend time with him and I will truly miss that. We are SO GLAD we had a chance to visit with him in those last days before he took that final road trip to the ultimate performance in heaven, where he is once again entertaining people with his trumpet and sense of humor. He will be missed. Peace be with you and your family thru this very difficult time.
Chuck Thiel says
Lester, we go back a long way. We recorded our first album with you and Wally Pikal at the fire station in Hutch in 1974… complete with a fire call in the middle of our session. I did hospice music and also provided some music for Shirley’s funeral. We spent 26 years together (1988-2014) at Z-Rock (KDUZ) as Jim Ohnstad called the station. We were separated only by The Lutheran Hour from your Polka Parade Show and my Polka-bration Show. I’ll never forget your dedications… “And another one here for the ‘birt-dee’ of…” Fond memories, Good Doc! I did get to see you a few times at Woodstone. As I played Christmas music in December, you requested the Guido Polka. How could I not play it for you that day? Fond memories, Lester. We’ll meet again. Until that time, Lester, until that time…
Mary Ann Mallak says
Sympathy to the family. Lester was a wonderful guy. He was our friend for many years. Danced to a lot of his music. He will be missed.
Char and Bill Lidberg says
Our prayers go out to all of Lester’s family.
Mary Wegner says
Sending heartfelt sympathy to each of Lester’s loved ones and hoping happy memories bring a smile to your hearts.
God bless, Mary & Neil Wegner