Lester E. Land

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 1975 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.