Wesley Lewis Best was born February 21, 1923, in Rochester, Minnesota, to Edwin and Josephine (Mercedes) Best. In 1952, he graduated from Kauffman High School in Rochester. Wes was very musically talented and during and after High School played the trumpet in his own band. After his education he worked in Rochester and for a short time in Minneapolis. In 1947, Wes partnered with his father and they bought a farm in Wisconsin. After selling the farm a few years later, he moved to Hastings. In 1951, he moved to Farmington and began working at Norquist and McPhee Funeral Home and Furniture. He married Beverly Jean Hanson on June 19, 1956, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Northfield. After marriage they bought an old school house in rural Farmington, tore it down, and built their home. Wes worked for several years spraying dairy barns, drove school bus for 26 years, carried the mail for 9 years, and spent more than 20 years caring for the Highview and Farmington Cemeteries. Wes and Bev remained in their home until moving to Northfield in 2007. He was a longtime active member of Highview Christiania Church, was a talented baker, and enjoyed music, visiting, and eating out with Bev.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Bev; 2 sisters: Natalie Matthiesen of Sun City West, Arizona, Ramona Broman of Farmington; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters Arlene Fay and Barbara Wong.

Wes passed away Thursday evening, January 28, 2010, at the Three Links Care Center in Northfield at the age of 86.

Funeral services will be 11:30 A.M. Monday, February 1, 2010, at Highview Christiania Lutheran Church in rural Farmington with Rev. Chris Beckman officiating. Music will be provided by Lill Sather & Katrina Behrendt. Interment will be in Highview Cemetery. Casket bearers will be Erland Anderson, Jerry Bacon, Gene Dietz, Bob Edmunds, Dennis Malecha and Glen Shirley. Visitation will be at the church beginning at 10AM.

Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.