Lester Earl Goslar

Lester “Les” Earl Goslar, 77, of Mapleton, Iowa, passed away peacefully at his beloved farmhouse on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at the Goslar Funeral Home Chapel in Onawa, Iowa, with his son, Darren C. E. Goslar, officiating. A live stream of the service will be available on the Goslar Funeral Home website alongside Les’ obituary. A luncheon will follow at the Onawa Community Center in Onawa, Iowa. Burial will take place at the family farm near Mapleton, Iowa, with Military Honors provided by the United States Army and the Homer Hall American Legion Post #66 of Charter Oak, Iowa. Visitation will be held on Monday, July 7, 2025, from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Goslar Family Chapel, with a heartfelt Prayer and Time of Sharing beginning at 7:30 P.M. to honor and reflect on Les’ life. Arrangements are under the direction of Goslar Funeral Home and Monuments, Onawa, Iowa.

Lester Earl Goslar was born on April 18, 1948, in Ute, Iowa, the son of William Earl Otto Goslar and Rosie Bertha Christina (Kroll) Goslar. He was baptized on May 9, 1948 by Reverend Walter P. Schroeder, and confirmed on April 7, 1963 by Reverend Otto R. Schlegelmilch, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Charter Oak, Iowa. He graduated from Charter Oak-Ute Community High School with the Class of 1967. During high school, he was actively involved in FFA, holding several leadership roles, including serving as chapter president.

Les proudly served in the United States Army from February 6, 1968, until his honorable discharge on February 5, 1970. He served in Vietnam from July 4, 1968, to July 4, 1969. Though recognition doesn’t always reflect the full measure of sacrifice, Les’ service spoke volumes. He was honored with the Sharpshooter Badge (M-14 Rifle), Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Sharpshooter Badge (M-16 Rifle), Two Overseas Bars, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, and the Bronze Star Medal—each a testament to his courage, skill, and unwavering commitment. Les attended an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. with his brother, Melvin on May 11, 2019.

Following his military service in Vietnam, Les furthered his education at Western Iowa Tech Community College in Sioux City, Iowa, where he earned an associate degree in Advanced Agricultural Production and an additional associates degree in Farm Management. Les found deep joy in life on the farm, where he spent countless hours outdoors, working the land he loved. Over the years, he raised a wide variety of animals—cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, chickens, geese, ducks, rabbits, horses, emus, and even the occasional barn cat or farm dog—each one part of the rhythm of rural life. More than just chores, these experiences became life lessons, as Les took pride in teaching his children the values of hard work, responsibility, and respect for the land. Farming wasn’t just a way of life for Les—it was a passion he lovingly passed down to the next generations.

Les was united in marriage to Donna Lynn Swenson on March 21, 1970, at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Moorhead, Iowa. To this union, five children were born: Kevin, Marshall, Lenora, Brock, and Darren. The couple also endured the heartbreaking loss of two infant children.

Les worked at the Slota Repair Shop in Mapleton, Iowa for several years. Les also served as a Monona County Special Deputy for seven years. He worked for Bumstead Repair in Mapleton, Iowa, where he was a dedicated mechanic for over forty years. He also drove school buses for Maple Valley School District for more than forty years, taking great pride in ensuring the safety of his “bus kids” each day. Les served on the Mapleton Fire Department for forty plus years and was known for his enthusiastic participation in water fights. He was an accomplished auctioneer for many years, owning and operating Goslar Auctions in Mapleton, and also worked for Martindale Auctions in Onawa, Iowa.

Les had a deep passion for collecting and restoring hit-and-miss motors and antique tractors. He enjoyed deer hunting with his family and, earlier in life, was an avid bowler. He enjoyed his trips to the casino, especially playing his favorite Buffalo slot machines, where he found fun and excitement in every spin. Above all, Les was a man of integrity and warmth. He cherished time spent with his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Family was everything to him. He faithfully attended and supported his children’s and grandchildren’s sports and music events, always beaming with pride. He instilled in his family the values of honesty, hard work, and compassion.

Les was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Mapleton, Iowa. He also was a member of the Homer Hall American Legion Post #66 in Charter Oak and the VFW in Ute, Iowa.
Survivors include his devoted wife of fifty-five years, Donna Goslar of Mapleton, Iowa; his children: Kevin (Jennifer) Goslar of Mapleton, Iowa, Marshall (Erin Weber) Goslar of Mapleton, Iowa, Lenora (Mike) Thurby of Arvada, Colorado, Brock (Jamee) Goslar of Covington, Tennessee, and Darren (Sarah) Goslar of Onawa, Iowa; ten grandchildren: Zachery Goslar, Jordan (Katelynn Mullin) Goslar, Sean (MaKayla) Goslar, Kaitlyn (Loren Coberly) Goslar, Bradley (Shania) Goslar, Tanner (Alexandria Romero) Broyhill, Connor (Avery) Goslar, Claire Goslar, Kaylee (Tate Heilman) Goslar, and Maverick Goslar; great-grandchildren: Hunter, Harper, Kinley, Kinnick, Karsten, Madisyn, Bennett, Natalee, Hallie Jo, and one on the way; one sister, Karen Bathke of Dakota City, Nebraska; two sisters-in-law, Victoria (Ben) Watkins of Covington, Tennessee and Jeanne Pulver Swenson of Omaha, Nebraska; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Rosie (Kroll) Goslar; two infant children; parents-in-law, Clifford and Dorothy (King) Swenson; paternal grandparents, Herman and Lydia (Schmidt) Goslar; maternal grandparents, Frank and Clara (Kock) Kroll; sister, Bonnie (Earl) Johnson; brother, Melvin Goslar; two brothers-in-law, Ray Bathke and Dwight Swenson; one infant-brother-in-law, Samuel Swenson; several infant-grandchildren; and a loyal and beloved farm dog, “Penny”.

Les will be laid to rest on the cherished home place that meant so much to him—a quiet, meaningful spot near the lucky buckeye tree he loved, where the red barn and windmill both stand as a proud reminder of a life devoted to family, faith, and the land. It is here, surrounded by the beauty of the farm he nurtured, that the love and memories he helped create will live on, forever rooted in the hearts of those who knew him. 

Our love for him will never end, and we find peace knowing he is now with our Lord and Savior—the “One” Les always believed would be there to guide him home and keep him in His care.

Condolences may be left for the family online at www.goslarfuneralhome.com

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