Longtime Faith, SD, area rancher Lester James Blomberg, 96, better known as "Lec", "Les", or fondly "Gumpsy" by his grandchildren, succumbed to complications of heart surgery on December 7, 2015.

Lec began his life journey on September 24, 1919, when he was born in a sod house at home on a ranch near Gill, SD, to Ernest and Bessie (Hallan) Blomberg. He arrived with no one present except his mother and 18 month old brother.

Lec attended grade school at Rock Ranch, then on to high school at Sorum, SD, graduating with the class of 1939. It was during high school he put his education on hold for 1 year as he served with the Civilian Conservation Corps. During the 1939-1940 school years, Lec attended Black Hills Teachers College in Spearfish, SD.

On June 1, 1940, he was united in marriage to Alyce Maye Giannonatti. To this union,four children were born which were Darrel, Bonnie, Wade, and Koreen.

After a short residency in California, Lec returned to South Dakota to begin a teaching career in rural schools that spanned nearly two decades.

In 1943, Lec purchased the first parcel of land of his ranch. Raising cattle, sheep, and horses became his passion.

Lec had many accomplishments he was proud of, but becoming and receiving his private pilot license in 1966 ranked very high. He was a Perkins County 4-H Leader, board member for West River Cooperative Telephone, director and founder of Meat Promoters of SD, Ag Advisor for Senator Larry Pressler, and a skilled poet for which two books have been published.

Lec was extremely proud of the achievements of his children. As the grandchildren and great-grandchildren arrived, there was no one as proud as "Gumpsy".

Survivors include longtime companion, Arlene Peterson; children, Darrel (Darlene)Blomberg, NV, Bonnie (Rickie) Root, Lake Forest, CA, Wade (Janet)Blomberg, Trabuco Canyon, CA, and Koreen (Chuck) Anderson, Lemmon, SD; grandchildren, Mona Scimeme, Shannon Root, JR and Blake Blomberg, Tiffany Sanderson, and Jack Anderson; great-grandchildren, Adam Scimeme, Christian Root, Tyson Blomberg, Sage Blomberg, Carter Sanderson, and Gage and Max Anderson.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Alyce; parents, Ernest and Bessie Blomberg; and brothers, Willis and Clarence (Jack).

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 28, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel, Sturgis, SD.