Lester was born February 11, 1922, in Swisher, to Joe and Emma Stanek Buresh. He grew up in Western, Iowa with his brother Ernest and sister Joan and graduated from Shueyville High School. He married Doris Krob of Ely on December 12, 1942. Together they raised three daughters: Linda, Cindy, and Barbara and have six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He served as a First Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps during World War II, was assigned as a bombardier on a B-29 heavy bomber at Okinawa, and was a member of Hahn-Howard American Legion Post #480. Upon completing his service to his country, he worked in the farm implement business in Cedar Rapids. Lester purchased his own dealership, Buresh Implement, in Mount Vernon in 1949. In 1963, he went into partnership with his brother Ernest in the banking business. Les was a member of the First Presbyterian Church at Mount Vernon. He was a member of the Mount Vernon Masonic Lodge #112, was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the El Kahir Shrine of Cedar Rapids. Les served on the Mount Vernon City Council. Les was an avid pilot and enjoyed flying his own airplane around the country. His family and friends will always remember his sense of humor, devotion to the Iowa Hawkeyes, family and home, and raising the best tomatoes in town.