Koester, Joseph John

 

Joe’s life came to a close on October 3, 2010.  Born in Earling, Iowa on December 3, 1922, he journeyed with his family to Rockyford, Canada at the age of seven, and grew to love farming on the farm his family established.  As a young adult he enlisted in the army during World War II and served overseas for three years.  Life began in earnest when he returned home. In 1949 he married Matilda Weisgerber and by 1953 they had purchased their own farm. Joe lived a full life. He was proudest of his 61 year marriage to his wife Tillie and their eight children: Allan, Marilyn, Donald, Gordon, Dorothy, Frances, Patricia and Joanne.    He welcomed to his family sons-in-law (Gerald Geeraert, Sandy Garriott, Rob McColl, Jim Clark and Ian Crichton) daughters-in-law (Jamie Koester and Darlene Koester) and twenty-one grandchildren.  He lived to attend the marriage of nine grandchildren and see the arrival of sixteen great grandchildren including three week old great grandson Taggart Joseph Koester.  Joe is also survived by his brother, Dick and his sister, Annie and numerous nieces and nephews. Family members that have preceded Joe in death include his parents, three brothers, three sisters, and an infant grandson, Kyle Garriott.  He was a humble man of few words, generous of spirit and never tired of a cribbage game with a two-bit bet.   He welcomed his grandchildren into this world by rubbing his rough hands over their baldheads. His face was unmistakable; sculpted into deep furrows by sun and wind and he was genetically responsible for our cheers to big ears.   When he retired from farming you could find him ankle deep in sawdust as he unearthed a creative side as a woodworker.  He was grateful to have belonged to the community of Rockyford and for the friendships that kept him active throughout his life. He served on town council and was a member of the local Knights of Columbus and Lions Club.  Although he will be greatly missed his legacy will be his quiet loyalty to his faith, family, friends, community and country.  His struggle in life over the past several years was clear to us all. He accepted with some indignation the medications and oxygen that kept him going.  He lived patiently in abiding faith for the end to come.  In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made directly to the Canadian Kidney Foundation (6007 – 1A St. SW, Calgary, T2H 0G5).  A prayer service will be held on Thursday, October 7, 2010 at St. Rita’s Catholic Church, Rockyford at 8:00 p.m.  He will be laid to rest on Friday, October 8, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. also at St Rita’s.  Father Wayne Poile celebrant. Reception to follow in the Parish Hall.  To send condolences, please visit www.wheatlandfuneralhome.ca. WHEATLAND FUNERAL HOME LTD. (Strathmore) in care of arrangements.  403-934-5666.