Carl J. Lesser, age 98, of Dexter, MI, passed away on November 23, 2023. Carl was born on December 8, 1924 in Dexter, MI to Ezra and Edna (Mast) Lesser. He had lived in Dexter most of his life and resided at Silver Maples Retirement Community for the last five years.
Carl graduated from Dexter High School as the valedictorian of his class in 1940. He attended Michigan State University, where he honed his passion for agriculture and community service. Carl married Elizabeth "Betty" (Adams) on October 14, 1950, and they were married for nearly 68 years.
Carl was very active in farming and the Dexter community. He served on many committees and boards, which included former member of MMPA, Board Member and former Trustee of Dexter Township, Board Member of the Chelsea Dexter Fire Authority, Board Member of the Washtenaw County Farm Council (which helped purchase the land where the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds/Saline Fairgrounds are located), member of the Michigan Livestock, Farm Bureau, and a breeder of registered Black Angus. He was a life-long member of St. Andrew's United Church of Christ, where he was baptized, confirmed, married, and will be laid to rest. He was big into politics, a Republican supporter. He was proud to have met several high level representatives of the Republican Party, including George W. Bush. Carl's commitment to his community, his passion for agriculture, support for local farmers, and his unwavering faith serve as an inspiration to all who knew him. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and the Dexter community he so deeply loved.
Surviving are two children, John Lesser of Dexter, and Susan (Darrell) Stoker of Grass Lake; two grandsons, Adam and Carl; a sister, Arlene Honbaum of Chelsea; and two sisters-in-law, Carol Lesser of Dexter and Ann Tesluck of Lexington, MI; many nephews and nieces, several great-nephews and great-nieces, and several great-great-nephews and great-great-nieces.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, in September 2018, as well as his parents, Ezra and Edna (Mast) Lesser, his father- and mother-law, Henry and Suzanna (Martini) Adams; his siblings, Norwin Lesser and Mary Burmeister; brothers-in-law, Merritt Honbaum, Leonard Burmeister, George Adams, and Robert Tesluck; sister-in-law, Barbara Adams and a great-nephew, Jason Tesluck.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2023 from 2-5 p.m. at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home in Chelsea. Funeral Services will be held on Sunday, December 3, 2023, 2:00 p.m., at St. Andrew's United Church of Christ in Dexter with Pastor Larry Van Slambrook officiating. He will be laid to rest at St. Andrew's Cemetery in Dexter.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Carl Lesser Ag Scholarship Fund, the Dexter Historical Society, St. Andrew's United Church of Christ, or the Silver Maples Employee Scholarship Fund.
