Lester Jante, 85, Medford

Lester Jante passed away Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025, at his home in Medford.

A funeral service is planned for Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Brick – Meger Funeral Home, 1603 Austin Road, Owatonna. Friends may greet the family starting at 9:30 a.m. Burial will follow at St. John Cemetery in Owatonna with military honors provided by the Steele County Funeral Unit.

Lester Earl Jante was born Sept. 8, 1939, in Hayfield, to Henry and Louise (Dietz) Jante. He attended District 13 School near Rice Lake, Minn., until the family moved to Owatonna. He then attended Owatonna Schools through 10th grade.

Lester worked at the bowling alley in Owatonna until he joined the Army in 1962. He served his country for two years. He then managed Erickson’s Gas Station. In 1972, he opened The Bottle Shoppe in Owatonna.

He was united in marriage to Jane Mullenberg on Nov. 17, 1976, in Morristown. He continued to own and manage the Bottle Shoppe until it closed in 2010.

Lester had a deep love for the outdoors and enjoyed hunting and trapping. He cherished time with his family, looked forward to coffee with his Monday morning crew, and shared many good times attending dog trials with friends. One of his favorite things was watching his grandkids from the sidelines of the soccer field.

Lester is survived by his wife Jane Jante; daughter Amy Martinez, Owatonna; stepchildren Kimberly Erickson, Blooming Prairie, and David Froman, California; grandchildren Brayden Martinez and Morgan Martinez; step-grandchildren Eddie Erickson, and Thomas Erickson; and sister Shirley Nesdahl.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Mildred Sirek More, Dorothy Easton, Darlene Veerkamp, Lucile Rolfe; and brother Lawrence Jante.

For more information or to leave an online message of condolence, go to www.megercares.com.