Alfred Erhard Koester

Alfred Erhard Koester, 85-year-old resident of Swanville, passed away February 13th, 2015 at his home in Swanville. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, February 18th at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Swanville, MN with Pastor Kevin Zellers officiating. Burial will be in the St. Peter’s Springbrook Cemetery in Swanville. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Tuesday February 17th at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Swanville and one hour before the funeral on February 18th. Funeral arrangements are with the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Swanville, MN.
Alfred “Tooter” Erhard Koester was born on August 25th, 1929 at his family’s home farm place to Alfred and Irene (Rahn) Koester in Swanville Township in Morrison County. He was baptized and confirmed at St.Peter’s Lutheran in Swanville. He received his education at Swanville Public School. He was married to Rosella Martha Bliese on June 16th, 1950 at St. Peter’s Lutheran church in Swanville. He spent his whole life farming the family farm. He also spent 7 years between 1965-1972 working at Larson’s Boat Works. Alfred and Rosella were blessed with 11 children, 24 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. He loved his family dearly.
He is survived by his sons: Vernon Koester of Swanville, Merlin (Bernice) Koester of Upsala, Wayne (Jean) Koester of Golden Valley, Lynn (Kathy) Koester of Alexandria, Randy (Carmen) Koester of Sartell, Brian (Kathy) Koester of Little Falls, Steven (Katie) Koester of Sartell; by his daughters Gail (Tom) Meyer of Royalton, Peggy (Richard) Farmer of Litchfield, and Julie (Mike) Larson of Osseo; brother Earl Koester of Swanville and sister Devonna (Don) Peterson of Baxter; brother-in-laws Gene (Peggy) Bliese of Swanville, Arthur (Shirley) Bliese of Swanville, Edwin (Ruth) Zastrow of Sauk Centre; sister-in-laws, Jeanette Schneider of Albany and Ethel Bliese of Blaine; 23 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife Rosella, daughter Doreen Koester, grandson Joshua Koester, brother Homer Koester, sister Bernice Zastrow, sister-in-law Martha Koester, and brother-in-law George Bliese.
Pallbearer for funeral will be, Nicholas Koester, Kevin Koester, Mark Koester, Stephen Roerick, Davis Mickelson, Paul Kremers and Darryl Peterson.