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Lester Paul Schrage, age 92, of Edina, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, May 25, 2010. Lester
was born March 21, 1918, at Hurdland, Missouri the son of Fred F. and Viola Mayer Schrage. Lester was reared in the Hurdland community along with his four siblings, Nina "Irene", Lillian, Eugene "Buster" and Margie. As a youngster Lester enjoyed riding his horse and shooting his .22 rifle. He attended the Fox School House north of Hurdland. Lester served in the United States Army during World War II. He was drafted into the Army Infantry Division in 1942 and received the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Medal serving in Australia and New Guinea. He was discharged on June 30, 1943, having obtained the rank of Private First Class. Upon his return to the States he caught up with a dark headed, brown eyed girl. On September 15, 1945, Lester Paul Schrage and Mary Ruth Clary were united in marriage in Van Couver, Washington. Upon their return to Missouri, Lester and Mary Ruth bought various farms in the Hurdland and Edina area. In 1964 Lester began selling insurance. He worked for several different companies and was a top producer in each company, winning prizes and qualifying for many insurance conventions. Together Lester and Mary Ruth attended conventions in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Las Vegas, Chicago, St. Thomas, the Bahamas, Lake Tahoe, Arizona, Jamaica and Hawaii. The highlight of his insurance career came in 1965 with the American Republic Insurance Company. They were building a new headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa and had a nationwide contest, whereby the top agent would win a new 1965 Ford Mustang, a ring, and their name would be permanently inscribed in their new building. Lester sold more policies than anyone else and won the contest. Lester was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Lillian (who died in childhood), one brother Eugene "Buster" Schrage, his wife Mary Ruth in 2002 and on April 29, 2009, a grandson Joshua Aaron Brown. Lester is survived by his children, Ronald and Donald Schrage of Edina, Leslie Schrage of Edina, Larry and Diane Schrage of Hurdland, Jerry Schrage of Hurdland, David Schrage of Hurdland, Judy Brown of Wasilla Alaska, Gary Schrage of Edina, Ernie and Brenda Schrage of Pawnee, Illinois, Tom Schrage of Edina and Tim and Beth Schrage of Edina, two sisters Nina Irene Ward of Kirksville, Missouri and Margie Barnes of Sycamore, Georgia. Lester is also survived by a multitude of grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. Special recognition is extended to his son Tom Schrage who spent several years as his partner and caretaker. Lester will be remembered as a person who was always ready to help someone in need. He would never pass up a hitchhiker or turn away from someone who was down on their luck. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, May 29, 2010, at the Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Edina, Missouri. Reverend Robert Shobe will officiate the services. Burial with full Military Honors will be in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery at Hurdland, Missouri. Musical selections will be "When I Get Where I'm Going", "The Old Rugged Cross", "Go Rest High On That Mountain" and "That Silver Haired Daddy Of Mine". Casket bearers will be Matthew Schrage, Jeremy Schrage, Brian Schrage, Jonathan Schrage, Sam Clary and Dan Clary. Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 29, 2010, from 9 a.m. till time of services at 11 a.m. in the Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home at Edina, Missouri. Memorials in memory of Lester Paul Schrage may be made to the I.O.O.F. Cemetery at Hurdland, Missouri. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Hudson- Rimer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1, Edina, Missouri, 63537.