In loving memory of

Lester Bares
February 23, 1923 - May 9, 2013

Lester J. Bares of Merrill, Wisconsin, passed away at Bell Tower Residence Hall on Thursday, May 9, 2013, with his wife, Janet, by his side. He was 90 years old.
Lester was born on February 23, 1923 in the Town of Belgium, Wisconsin. He was the youngest of eleven children born to Engelbert and Mary Thomes Bares.
On April 7, 1945, Lester was united in marriage to Janet Ott at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Belgium. The couple settled in Belgium and were blessed with seven children. In his early years, Lester worked with his father and several brothers in operating Wayside Dairy, which his father established in 1927. In 1944, he and his brothers Edwin and Walter took over ownership of the dairy. In 1964, Lester founded the Belgium Community Center along with four brothers, one brother-in-law and one cousin.
In 1969, Lester and his son James purchased Lincoln Lanes, a bar and bowling facility in Merrill, Wisconsin, which they operated in partnership until his retirement in 1985. In 1974, father and son expanded the facility with construction of a commercial kitchen and large banquet hall with seating for up to 600 guests. Les & Jim's Lincoln Lanes is now third-generation owned and operated.
Lester was a longtime member of Holy Cross Parish in Belgium as well as St. Robert's and St. Francis parishes in Merrill. While living in Belgium, Lester was well known for his extensive church and community service. He was instrumental in establishing, promoting and managing many area youth and adult baseball and basketball leagues. He continued his community service in Merrill as a member of numerous church, civic and sports organizations.
Lester is survived by his wife of 68 years, Janet and their seven children; James (Jan) of Merrill, WI Elaine (Thomas) Semrau of Dallas, TX; Lester, Jr. (Rose Elliott) of Charlottesville, VA, Richard (JoAnn) of Oshkosh, WI, Michael (Lila) of Fargo, ND, Patrick (fiancé Lisa Mazzie) of West Bend, WI and Janet (Robert) Starck of Cadott, WI. He is further survived by 18 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, one sister, Elisa (the late Elmer) Bauer of Fredonia, WI, sister-in-law Rita (the late Bernie) Buser of Saukville, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Engelbert and Mary; seven brothers; Alois (Melvina), Louis (Margaret), George (Cecelia), Sylvester (Rosalia), Edwin (Betty), Clarence (Eleanor) and Walter (Violet); two sisters; Marie (George) Jacoby and Leona (Joseph) Buechler, grandchildren Colleen Mary Semrau and Shaun Robert Starck and brother-in-law Joe (Alice) Ott.
There will be a Memorial Mass held at 2:00 p.m. at St. Francis Church, Merrill on Wednesday, May 15. On Thursday, May 16, visitation will be held at Eernisse Funeral Home, Belgium, Wisconsin from 3:00 - 5:30 p.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Divine Savior Parish - Holy Cross Chapel in Belgium at 6:00 p.m. Burial will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery. The Eernisse Funeral Home in Belgium is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com

Tributes

Christine Vorpagel wrote on May 15, 2013:

"I remember Les fondly. Merrill won the jackpot when he & Jim decided to purchase Lincoln Lanes. Dan & my wedding on June 6, 1974 was the first hosted OVER the covered bowling lanes. Later that year the banquet hall and kitchen were added. Thanks for the memories. Rest in Peace."

Jean Flerchinger Wildhagen wrote on May 14, 2013:

"My sympathy to all the family. You will have many great memories to carry you thru this difficult time. I remember many good times at the Com. Center. It was a place for us to gather and have fun. I did have a job cleaning after the Friday nite dances. Les was always fair and cheerful. He set a great example for us to follow. "

Joanne Schueller Lizotte wrote on May 14, 2013:

"My sympthaty goes out to your family. Les was a great guy, father and loving person with a heart of gold. I worked for him cleaning at the Com.Center which was a real joy. He also was suppose to teach sex education classes to the eight grade but he told the told the priest not me that's why I have so many kids. He will always be remember and holds a special place in my heart. God Bless You All!"

Fran and Barb Montabon wrote on May 13, 2013:

"Sorry to hear of your loss. We know some things are inevitable ,but it never means they come easy. All we can do is remember the good times. Our prayers will be with you Jim and Jan."

MIKE STRAUS wrote on May 12, 2013:

"I helped clean the Belgium Community center on weekends back in the 60's. One night in early spring I decide to turn around behind the center by driving on the grass. there wasn't enough black top to turn a complete circle. I get out on to the grass and the frost is out about one inch. The car keeps moving but it left about 50 ft of ruts. I was embarrassed, feeling extremely guilty and (being young and very stupid: not the first or last time in my life either) I decided to say nothing. Getting to work the next morning in the dark I didn't realize how much mud was hanging from the under carriage. Les came in later after sunrise. It was impossible to miss the mud. When he came in I could tell he was agitated. I still didn't realize how obvious the mud was. He never said anything to me. Probably knowing shame and embarrassment were the bigger punishments and lessons. When I left work and saw how obvious the mud was the guilt and embarrassment grew exponentially. I never played ball for him but I understand the kind of man he was."

Robert & Marie Prom wrote on May 11, 2013:

"Our deepest sympathy goes out to the Les Bares family. He was a very friendly person, always liked to talk to him. He was a first cousin to my Father, Art Uselding."

Mary Bares wrote on May 11, 2013:

"Uncle Les was like a father more than an uncle to my late husband Gene. Gene spent all of his younger years with Uncle Les. He was involved in Holy Cross CYO baseball and Sunday morning basketball at Cedar Beach. He also worked with him at Wayside Dairy. We were blessed to have an uncle like Uncle Les. "

Al Krier wrote on May 11, 2013:

"Growing up in Belgium would have been a lot different for a lot of us kids had it not been for Les Bares. Thanks to Les's guidance and unending support we developed into a pretty darn good baseball team. We really loved when Les would "haul" us to our Little League away games in the back of the dairy's milk route delivery truck....our whole team, our gloves, bats and balls and away we would go, often returning with a victory. Les's patience and good example taught us about honorable competition and life, and made sporting events possible that we still talk about and appreciate today, 50 years later. Thank you Les....for everything!"