Laverne Koester

LaVerne Koester, 87, of rural Freeport died Friday, December 27, 2013 in his home. He was born November 5, 1926 in Florence Township, Stephenson County, the son of Emil and Elizabeth (Dammann) Koester. LaVerne married Clarice Stubbe on May 16, 1948 in Freeport. Mr. and Mrs. Koester celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this year. A World War II Navy veteran, he served in the South Pacific Theatre. Mr. Koester was a lifetime Dakota area farmer and hauled livestock for forty years. He was a member of Stephenson County Farm Bureau and a member of Cedarville Emmanuel Church. He was member and director Stephenson County Holstein Club and the Illinois Holstein Association. LaVerne took a lot of pride in his farm and enjoyed working on the farm with his family. In addition to his wife, Mr. Koester is survived by two sons, Dan (Amber) Koester of Dakota, and David (Susan) Koester of Dakota. two daughters, Angela Ferguson of Lena and Deanna DeSutter of Dakota. One brother, Earl (Orpha Lea) Koester of Statesville, N.C. Also surviving are his twelve grandchildren; Matt (Anna) Ferguson of Freeport, Dennis Ferguson of Stockton, Jason DeSutter of Freeport, Darla Myers of Texas, Devin (Jen) DeSutter of Fulton, Lance (Cynthia) Koester of Dakota, Kyle Koester of Dakota, Brent Koester, of Dakota, Alissa (Ethan) Fehr of Dakota, Bria Koester of Dakota, Scott Koester of Freeport and Kevin Koester of Winnebago, and also many great-grandchildren. Mr. Koester was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Duane, his son-in-law, James Ferguson and his granddaughter, Sabrina (Ferguson) Hirschfeld who died December 1, 2013. A funeral service for Mr. Koester will be Tuesday, 11:00 A.M. at Cedarville Emmanuel Church, Cedarville, with Rev. Chris Pope, Pastor, and Rev. Dennis Buss officiating. Visitation will be Monday, 4:00-8:00 P.M. at Cedarville Emmanuel Church. Burial will be in Grandview Cemetery. A memorial has been established in his name. Arrangements are being completed by Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home, Freeport.