Lester "Joe" Fleming was born April 5, 1940 at Central City, Iowa. Joe passed away October 29, 2008 at Mercy Hospital in Dubuque, Iowa after a courageous battle with cancer. He was the son of Lester and Leila (Taylor) Fleming. He attended country school in the Central City and Lamont area. In 1962, he was united in marriage to Donna Koch at St. Mary's church in Lamont, Iowa. This union was blessed with four children. Together they farmed at Lamont and later moved to Volga, Iowa in 1965.

He loved farming, hunting and spending quiet time in the outdoors.

Survivors include his wife, Donna “Koch” of Volga; four children, Mary Jo (Brad) Bergan of Strawberry Point, Annette (John) Hird of Volga, Jody (Paul) Stempfle of Maynard, Paul (Lois) Fleming of Elkader; nine grandchildren, Matthew, Justin and Megan Bergan, Christofer (Anna) Hird of Arizona, Alan Hird of California, Scott and Jessica Stempfle of Maynard, Trevor and Kelly Jo Fleming of Elkader; siblings, Steve Fleming of Lamont, Catherine Starry of Strawberry Point, Donna Mae Smith of Coggon, Albert Fleming of Elkader, Duane Fleming of Texas, Susan Lucas of Cedar Rapids, Doris House of Manchester and one very "special" companion "Eddie" his dog.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one niece and six nephews.