Lester John Clapp, 83, of Rochester, MN died on Sunday, February 21, 2021 at Methodist Hospital in Rochester, surrounded by family.

The Memorial Service for Lester will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 1, 2021 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Rochester, with Rev. Adam Koglin officiating. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m.

He was born September 10, 1937 in Riceville, IA to Elmo and Mabel (Graff) Clapp. He graduated from Riceville High School in 1955. On July 5, 1956, he married Marcelle M Hanson at The Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA.

Lester took pride in his long career at Mayo Clinic, starting in 1957 in the Renal Physiology Department of Medical Sciences. In 1970, he transferred to the Department of Respiratory Therapy, where he established and became supervisor of the Blood Gas and Pulmonary Function Lab. In 1986, he became Quality Control Coordinator of the lab and officially retired in 1999. He returned as a supplemental employee until September of 2018.

He loved sports and actively participated in bowling, golfing, and softball. He avidly followed both Iowa and Minnesota Sports Teams.

He was a long-time member of Redeemer Lutheran Church and served as usher, elder, and member of the Stewardship Committee.

Lester is survived by his loving wife, Marcelle M Clapp; children, Randy (Wendy) Clapp of Rochester and Valerie Clapp of Cave Creek, AZ; grandchildren, Brandon (Heather) Clapp of Pine Island, MN, and Vanessa Clapp of Aurora, CO; great-grandchildren, Jaden and Rylan Clapp; sister, Alta Jean Faubert of Riceville, IA; and many nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

He was preceded in death his parents, Elmo and Mabel Clapp; sister, Dorothy Taylor; and brother, Donald Clapp.

Memorials are preferred to Redeemer Lutheran Church or Mayo Clinic Cancer Research.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com .