Clarence H. KOESTER

Retired farmer and businessman, Clarence Koester, died Sunday, June 9,2013, at the Good Samaritan Center in Syracuse. Clarence was born to Fred and Anna (Seggebruch) Koester in Cissna Park, Illinois, on June 12,1918. When Clarence was three, the family moved to Nebraska and settledon a farm northwest of Otoe. On April 30, 1941, Clarence married ViolaEngelbrecht and the two of them raised their family, farmed and fed livestock on this same place for 40 years. In 1981 Clarence retired fromfarming and he and Vi moved to Syracuse where they built a new home anda warehouse for their Koester Seed and Chemical business. Clarence wasa DeKalb dealer for 53 years and held a variety of positions in various community organizations. He was an active, life-long member of FirstLutheran Church, (North Branch) of Rural Avoca, Nebraska, serving on the Church Council, the Building Committee and the Cemetery Board. He wasalso a Life Member of Nebraska City Elks Lodge 1049.

Clarence enjoyed spending time with family, playing cards, golfing andvisiting with friends. He and Vi also thoroughly enjoyed their time serving as German Fest King and Queen in 1995.

Clarence was preceded in death by his wife Vi in 1998, his parents, three brothers – Edwin, Art and Wilbert, two sisters – Mathilda Emshoff and Alma Minderman, a son-in-law Dale Stolle and an infant great grandchild. He is survived by five daughters - Judy (Bruce) Smith of Grand Island, Bonnie (Gene) Sisco of Syracuse, Nancy Stolle of Grand Island, Vicky Gartner of Lincoln, Deb (Harlan) Jacobson of Newman Grove; 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Comments