BENSON, UT – Lester A. Hartvigsen, 94 passed away January 7, 2006 in Logan, Utah.

Lester was born May 8, 1911 at the Cherry Creek homestead seven miles south of Downey, Idaho to Joakim Ferdinand and Ellen Amelia Eilertsen Hartvigsen. He graduated from Downey High School in 1929 and from Utah State University in 1936 in Economics and Business Administration.

Lester married Evelyn Jardine Williams on January 1, 1942. Evelyn died in 1969. Lester married Edris Kidman Falslev September 30, 1976.

Lester had several Bannock and Power County, Idaho jobs with the Agricultural Adjustment Administration. He was a life long farmer. His good farming practices resulted in him being recognized as the 1992 Goodyear Conservationist of the Year.

In 1966 he was encouraged to run for the state legislature. Lester won a seat in the Idaho House of Representatives serving eight years from District 33. He then was an Idaho State Senator for three terms and retired in 1980. Lester was the Idaho Representative on the Interstate Taxation Committee. He was a life long member of the LDS church and served in numerous callings.

Survivors include his wife Edris, Benson, Utah, three sons, James L. (Rebecca), Centerville, Utah, R. Eric (Anna), Tucson, Arizona, Kim R (Laurie), Layton, Utah and one step-son Ferrin (Sheila) Falslev, 16 grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren and nieces and nephews, two brothers, Donald, St. George, Utah, Reed, Bountiful, Utah, three sisters Hazel Cook, Mabel Christiansen and Ruby Wilson, all of Provo, Utah.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Elmer J., and Milton F., and one sister, Alice Stephens.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, January 12, 2006, at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 E. Center Street in Logan, Utah, with Bishop Dale B. Spackman conducting. A viewing will be held on Wednesday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the mortuary and from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM prior to services on Thursday. Graveside services will be held at the Malad, Idaho Cemetery 3:30 pm also on Thursday. Condolences may be sent to the family at Allen Mortuaries.