Notizen zu dieser Person
The body of Carl H Koester, who died in France while in the service ofhis country, arrived in Paullina on Saturday morning accompanied by anescort. The funeral was held Monday afternoon at 2:00 at the Lutheran church, Rev. A. H. Semmann conducting the service. The funeral was heldwith military honors in charge of the boys of the West Post of the American Legion. The remains were laid to rest in the Germantown cemetery.
The deceased was the eldest child of Henry Koester and his wife, Eleanor Myer Koester, and was born January 6, 1891, in Union township, O'Brien county, Iowa. Outside of the time spent in the United States army hewas always at home near Paullina. Having traveled over many miles of land and sea with his comrades of the army he saw many different parts ofthe U. S. and also of foreign countries, but in his letters he repeatedly stated that he loved this community best of all.
In his early youth he was baptized into the Christian faith and renewedhis baptismal vow on the day of his confirmation, March 27, 1904. He was a loyal member of his church, one who could under all circumstancesbe depended upon. He was a liberal contributor towards the upkeep of his church, and toward the mission work. He led an exemplary life and nodoubt when his end came his Master said to him: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter into they reward." The reward will be by grace, of course, not as though he had merited heaven with his good works.
He entered the army February 24, 1918, and on May 2, 1918, he landed onthe shores of France. On July 13th, he moved to the front to enter actual battle, where he remained until the armistice was signed on the memorable November 11, 1918. On February 10th, he with his comrades received orders to start for home. This was joyful news but it was a hard trip that lay before them. The result was that perhaps the majority of thecompany had to enter the hospital rather than board a transport. It was there in the hospital at LeMans, France, that Carl breathed his laston February 23, 1919. His death was caused by bronchial pneumonia. He was then 27 years, 1 month and 27 days old. His death is mourned by hisbereaved parents and his sister, Anna, and other relatives and a host of friends.
From a letter written by Anna Koester (Carl's sister) to Nora (Meyer) Deffner in 1980:
"...on after thought could be you would be interested in my brother Carls service record. He left home Feb. 23, 1918 for Campe Dodge Iowa. Thesecond of May he landed in France. July they were moving toward the front, Carl got sick had to go to the hospital after he get well they sent him on to his own com. Bat. E. 304th F.A. July 13 theywere at the front until 11 of Nov. From then on in rest camp's and light training. Jan1919 they started moving toward the coast marched the boys in knee deep mud for 6 mi. then in cattle cars, when they landed at the coast 1/2of the boys went to the hosp. Carl did not leave the hosp. alive passedaway Feb 18, 1919. One of his buddies that had been with Carl from Camp Dodge gave us all this information. He is burried in St. John's cemetery in Germantown...
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Matthias
Steinke
