Norma Loeffelholz (Mrs. Leonard Koester) (1930-1988)

The Carroll Daily Times Herald, November 1988

DEDHAM - Mrs. Leonard (Norma) Koester, 53, of Dedham, died at 8:45 p.m. Thursday, November 3, at Bishop Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m. Monday, November 7, at St. Joseph church in Dedham with the Rev. Walter Bruch as celebrant. Her children, Ted, Jim and Tammy, will be gift-bearers. Burial will be in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll after 2 p.m. Sunday. Rosaries will be recited at the funeral home at 3 p.m. by the fifth grade class of the Dedham-Willey school and at 8 p.m. by the parish. A scriptural prayer service will be conducted at 8:45 p.m.

Mrs. Koester is survived by her husband, Leonard, Dedham; two sons; Ted, Dedham, and Jim, Ankeny; a daughter, Tammy, Dedham; two brothers: Al Loeffelholz, Mount Carmel, and Francis Loeffelholz, Minden, Iowa, and two sisters: Bernadine Loeffelholz, Mount Carmel and Mrs. George (Rita) Johnson, Wall Lake.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Charles in infancy and a sister, Mrs. Greg (Cecilia) Schelle.

Mrs. Koester was born July 25, 1930, at Mount Carmel, a daughter of Frank and Christina Ahrling Loeffelholz. She spent her early year in the Mount Carmel area and attended our Lady of Mount Carmel schools.

On Jun 18, 1957, she was married to Leonard Koester at Our Lady of Mount Carmel church by the Rev. O.W. Koester. After their marriage, they farmed southeast of Willey. In 1968, they moved to their present home at Dedham. She was a member of St. Joseph church and the Ladies Guild.

Rev. Msgr. Othmar W. Koester (1914-1995)

The Carroll Daily Times Herald, September 1995

The Reverend Monsignor Othmar W. Koester, age 81, of Carroll, died early Thursday, September 14, 1995, at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll.

Mass of the Christian Burial was celebrated at 11 a.m., Monday, September 18, 1995, at Holy Spirit Church in Carroll. The Main Celebrant was Bishop Lawrence D. Soens. Homeliest was Father Victor Ramaeker. Interment was in St. Joseph Cemetery at Dedham, Iowa. The lectors for the Mass were Robert S. Bruner and Dr. L. B. Westendorf. Gift bearers were Sister Florence Koester and Verdella Koester. Mass servers were Adrian Koester, Ryan Reiff, and Nick Pudenz. Casket bearers were Ray Collins, Ed Holden, Ron Loeffler, Don Wiederin, Paul Murrane, and Wilbur Neumayer. Visitation began at 3 p.m. Sunday at Holy Spirit Church in Carroll. Rosaries were recited at 4 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, with the latter by the Knights of Columbus. There was a Christian wake service at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Church. The Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus formed an honor guard at the Church on Sunday evening and again on Monday for the funeral mass. Memorial may be left for the Father Kuemper Society, a recently established tuition assistance fund for Kuemper High School students.

Monsignor Koester is survived by a sister, Sister Florence Koester, F.S.P.A., of LaCrosse, Wisconsin and sisters-in-law Georgia Bruce Koester, of Dallas, Texas and Verdella Koester, Denison, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and four brothers, Cyril, Clarence, Merle and Norbert Koester.

Monsignor Koester was born on June 17, 1914, at Dedham, Iowa, the son of John and Emma (Stangl) Koester. Her received his formal education at St. Joseph Elementary School in Dedham and High School in Templeton, Trinity College in Sioux City and received his Theology Degree at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was ordained to the Priesthood on May 22, 1941, at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City, Iowa, by Bishop Edmond Heelan. His first assignment was as assistant pastor at the former St. Peter and Paul Parish in Carroll. He then served as pastor at St. John Parish, Ogden (1950-1953), St. Joseph Parish, Sioux Rapids (1953-1954), Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Mt. Carmel (1954-1967), St. Joseph Parish, Milford (1967-1974), St. Mary Parish, Dow City, (June to November, 1974). His final assignment was to St. Paul Parish, Scranton, (1974-1989). He retired in July of 1989. He was designated a Domestic Prelate in 1972, and served as a Diocesan Consultor and Vicar of Religious. Upon his retirement he moved to the Orchard View retirement Complex in Carroll and served the daily Mass and spiritual needs of the residents at Orchard View. He was a member of Holy Spirit Parish, and Third and Fourth Degree member of the Carroll Knights of Columbus. He was a former Chaplain of the Third Degree Knights of Columbus and currently served the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus as its Faithful Friar.

Leonard G. Koester (1928-2001)

The Carroll Daily Times Herald, June 2001

Mass of the Christian burial for Leonard G. Koester of Dedham will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 7, 2001, at St. Joseph Church in Dedham. Mr. Koester, 72, died Monday, June 4, 2001, at Centers for Long-Term Care in Carroll following complications of cancer.

The Revs. Anthony Pick and Dale Reiff will concelebrate the Mass. Lector will be Betty McCaffrey and gift bearers will be grandchildren James Koester and Jennifer Koester.

A son of George and Veronica (Nagl) Koester, he was born Aug. 21, 1928, at Willey. He attended St. Mary Schools in Willey.

He and Norma Loeffelholz were married June 18, 1957, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Mount Carmel. His wife Norma died in 1983.

Mr. Koester was a member of St. Joseph Parish and the Dedham American Legion.

Survivors include three children, Ted Koester of Dedham, Jim Koester and his wife Jeanette, of Altoona, and Tammy Koester of Des Moines; two grandchildren; two sisters, Theresa Koester of Carroll and Dolores Koester of Carroll; and a special friend Donna Peterson of Carroll.

Mr. Koester was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Norma; and a brother Louis Koester.

Louis Koester (1927-1994)

The Carroll Daily Times Herald, November 1994

Louis W. Koester, 67, of 213 N. East St. in Carroll, died Saturday, Nov. 26, 1994, at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll.

Mass of the Christian burial for Mr. Koester will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, 1994, at Holy Spirit Church in Carroll with the Rev. Richard Remmers, the Rev. Gerald Hartz and Monsignor O.W. Koester as celebrants. Mourice Dunn Post No. 7 of the American Legion in Carroll will have a military honor guard.

Eucharistic ministers will be Cyril Venner, Dorothy Bellinghausen and Albin and Rita Venner. Lector will be Sheryl Stoolman. Mass servers will be Chuck and Andy Stoolman. Gift bearers will be grandchildren.

Casket bearers will be Dan Stoolman, Ted Koester, Dave Koester, Jim Koester, Ken Venner and Dale Bellinghausen.

Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery in Willey.

He was born March 24, 1927, at Dedham, a son of George and Veronica (Nagl) Koester, and educated at St. Mary School in Willey. Mr. Koester served in the Army from 1951-53.

He and Rita C. Venner were married April 11, 1953, at St. Francis Church in Maple River with Monsignor O.W. Koester as celebrant.

Mr. Koester farmed, worked for Kloser Seed and was employed by West Central Cooperative of Ralston before retiring. He was a member of Holy Spirit Parish and Maurice Dunn Post No. 7.

Survivors include nine children and their spouses: Pat Kult and her husband, Steve, of Coon Rapids, Jerry Koester and his wife, Denise, of Coon Rapids, Mary Wolf and her husband, Brett, of Denver, Colo., Betty McCaffrey and her husband, Mike, of Carroll, Bill Koester of Breda, Kathy Koester of Carroll, John Koester of Breda, Christy Gute and her husband, Brandon, of Storm Lake and Paul Koester and his wife, Beth of Newton; a brother, Leonard Koester, of Dedham; two sisters; Dolores and Theresa Koester of Carroll; and 12 grandchildren.

Mr. Koester was preceded in death by his wife, Rita, in September; his parents-in-law, John and Margaret Venner; a sister-in-law, Norma Koester; and two brothers-in-law; Clarence and Andrew Venner.

Rita C. Koester (1928-1994)

The Carroll Daily Times Herald, September 1994

Mass of the Christian burial for Rita C. Koester, 65, will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Carroll with the Rev. Richard Remmers and Monsignor O.W. Koester officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Willey.

Mrs. Koester of Carroll died Monday, Sept 19, 1994, at Mercy Hospital Medical Center in Des Moines.

Mass servers will be Chuck and Andy Stoolman. Gift bearers will be grandchildren. Eucharistic ministers will be Dorothy Bellinghausen, Albin Venner and Cyril Venner. Lector will be Sheryl Stoolman.

Casket bearers will be Ken Venner, Gene Venner, Bob Benner, David Redig, Dale Bellinghausen and Dennis Venner.

Born Dec. 7, 1928, at Breda, she was a daughter of John and Margaret (Rutten) Venner. She attended St. Francis School in Maple River for eight years.

On April 11, 1953, she married Louis W. Koester at St. Francis Church in Maple River with Monsignor O.W. Koester officiating. Mrs. Koester was a homemaker. She also helped with the cleaning of Holy Spirit Church for many years.

She was a member of Holy Spirit Parish and its Ladies Guild and the Legion of Mary.

Survivors include her husband, Louis Koester of Carroll; nine children and their spouses: Pat Kult and her husband, Steve, of Coon Rapids, Jerry Koester and his wife, Denise, of Coon Rapids, Mary Wolf and her husband, Brett, of Denver, Colo., Betty McCaffrey and her husband, Mike, of Carroll, John Koester of Breda, Kathy Koester of Carroll, John Koester of Breda, Christy Gute and her husband, Brandon, of Storm Lake and Paul Koester and his wife, Beth of Newton; 12 grandchildren; and brothers and sisters, Lawrence Venner, Helen Meister, Albin Venner and Dorothy Bellinghausen, all of Carroll, Marie Redig and Cyril Venner, both of Arcadia, Florence Bellinghausen of Laurens, and Tony and Ed Venner, both of Manning.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her parents-in-law, George and Veronica Koester; and two brothers, Clarence and Andrew Venner.

Merle J. Koester (1933-1973

The Carroll Daily Times Herald, September 1973

Merle John Koester, 40, of Midland, Tex., former resident of this area, died unexpectedly of a heart attack at Ozona, Tex., while working Sunday morning, Sept. 22.

Mass of the resurrection will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph's Church, Dedham, by his brother, the Rt. Rev. Msgr. O.W. Koester of Dow City. Burial will be in the parish cemetery, with military honors by the DeWitt-Loustanau Post No. 20 American legion of Dedham.

Friends may call after 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll. The rosary will be recited Tuesday at 3 and 8 p.m.; at 4:15 p.m. there will be a prayer service by Franciscan Sisters of the area.

Mr. Koseter, son of the late John and Emma Koester, was born at Templeton Nov. 4, 1933, and as a child moved with his parents to Dedham, where he spent his youth. He attended St. Joseph School, Dedham, and graduated from Carroll High School. He spent two years in military service. He was employed as crew maintenance chief for the Teledyne Exploration Corporation of Houston, Tex. In March, 1962, he was married at Dallas, Tex., to Georgia Bruce Ellenburg, and they have made their home at Midland.

Surviving in addition to his wife and brother, Msgr. Koester, are two other brothers, Norbert of Breda and Clarence of Denison, and a sister, Sr. Florence of LaCrosse, Wis.

Thelma Pomeroy (Mrs. Norbert Koester) (1917-1983)

The Carroll Daily Times Herald, March 1983

Mrs. Norbert (Thelma) Koester, 65, of Breda passed away at 10:00 p.m. Sunday, March 27 at the Floyd County Memorial Hospital in Charles City, Iowa of an apparent heart condition. She had been visiting her daughter Nancy Fiddich at Greene, Iowa.

Mass of the Christian Burial was held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 30, at St. Bernard's Church, Breda with Msgr. O.W. Koester officiating. Rev. Richard Birdsall and Rev. Ed Girres concelebrated. Burial, under the direction of Sharp funeral Home was in St. Bernard cemetery. Serving as casket bearers were Bob Lawler, Don Fiddich, Louie Wessling, Mike Wollner, Dale Tiefenthaler and Roger Schwabe, Lector was Louis Stork and gift bearers were son and daughter-in-law, David and Mary Koester.

Mrs. Koester is survived by her husband, Norbert, J., Breda; one son, David, Wall Lake; two daughters, Mrs. Donald (Nancy) Fiddich, Greene, Iowa; and Mrs. Robert (Dorothy) Lawler, Traer, Iowa; eight grandchildren; tow sister, Mrs. Vera Parker, Council Bluffs and Mrs. Margaret Flook, Coon Rapids; two brothers, Merle Pomeroy, Dedham and Harold Pomeroy, Coon Rapids.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and one brother, Alfred Pomeroy.

Thelma Koester was born April 1, 1917 at Dedham, Iowa, a daughter of Theodore and Minnie Hardie Pomeroy. As a young girl she grew up in the Dedham area. She attended grade school at a county school near Dedham and she graduated from Viola Center High School. On August 30, 1943 she was married to Norbert J. Koester at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas by Captain, Scheenan. After their marriage they moved to Dedham until 1958, when they moved to Breda, their present home. She was a member of St. Bernard Church of Breda, the Breda Legion Auxiliary and St. Bernard Church Ladies Guild. Thelma supervised the St. Bernard hot lunch program for 23 years, retiring in 1982.

Norbert Koester (1917-1994)

The Carroll Daily Times Herald, July 1994

Mass of the Christian burial for Norbert Koester will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 21, at St. Bernard Church in Breda. Mr. Koester, 77, of Breda, died of cancer Monday, July 18, 1994, at the Carroll Manor nursing home in Carroll.

Burial will be in St. Bernard Cemetery at Breda with military honors conducted by the Breda American Legion.

Father Thomas Hart and Monsignor O.W. Koester will preside at the service.

Born May 15, 1917, at Dedham, Iowa, he was a son on John and Emma (Stangl) Koester. He spent his younger years in the Dedham and Templeton communities and attended Sacred Heart Schools.

In the mid-1930's he was employed by the Civilian Conservation Corps based in Red Oak and helped build Ledges State Park near Boone.

He entered the Army in August 1941 and served in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater during World War II.

On Aug. 30, 1943, he was married to Thelma Pomeroy at Camp Chaffee, Ark., by the Rev. Capt, Scheenan. He was honorably discharged in October 1945.

After he left the Army the couple lived in Dedham, where he was employed at the Dedham Creamery, the Dedham Bank and was the original bus driver for Kuemper High School. He served as mayor of Dedham for several years.

In 1958 the family moved to Breda, where Mr. Koester was custodian for St. Bernard Parish until his retirement in 1981.

He was a member of St. Bernard Parish and the Breda American Legion, serving as a commander. He formerly served on the Breda Fire Department.

Mr. Koester is survived by a son David Koester, and his wife, Mary, of Carroll; two daughters, Nancy Fiddich and her husband, Donald, of Greene, Iowa, and Dorothy Lawler, and her husband, Robert, of Iowa City; eight grandchildren; a brother, Monsignor O.W. Koester, of Carroll; a sister, Sister Florence Koester, FSPA, of LaCrosse, Wis.; and two sisters-in-law, Verdella Koester of Denison and Georgia Bruce Koester of Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Thelma, in 1983; and three brothers, Cyril, Clarence and Merle Koester.