Russell Koester

Russell Frederick Koester, age 74, of Boulder, Colorado, died of Mesothelioma, March 26, 2014 at ManorCare Boulder.

A memorial service with military honors was held in the chapel of Crist Mortuary, Boulder on Saturday, March 30, 2014. 

Committal services will be held at St. Peter Lutheran Church Cemetery, Eldorado, Iowa, July 19, 2014 at 2:00 PM.

Russell was born October 1, 1939, in Dover Township, Fayette County, Iowa.  His parents. Arthur E. Koester and Helen E. (Schlatter) Koester farmed in Dover Township.  He was baptized at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Eldorado, Iowa, on October, 29,1937 and confirmed on March 29, 1953.

He graduated from West Union High School in 1957.  He served our country in the Navy as an Aviation Electronics Technician from 1957-1959.

Russell worked as a telephone lineman and later a technician. He retired in 2005. 

He was always ready to help his friends and family.  His hobbies included reading, biking, hiking and traveling.  During 1988 he rode in the RAGBRAI (Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa) and also traveled through Australia on a bike tour.  He traveled through many states and knew the roads well to Iowa, where he visited and took care of his mother during her last years. Being a good reader led him to be a faithful participant in the library book loan services and daily, The Wall Street Journal.

Russell is survived by one brother, Wayne (Ann) Koester of Good Thunder, Minnesota; niece Amy (Craig) Jouppi of Duluth, Minnesota; nephew Joel (Alisha) Madrone of Portland, Oregon; two great-nieces, Ana Jouppi and Kyla Jouppi and five great-nephews, Isaiah Jouppi, Elias Jouppi, Lukas Madrone, Elliott Madrone and Justice Jouppi.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Russell will be missed by his family and friends.  27u27