Ben Koester

Benjamin Richard Koester, 18, of Manchester, Iowa, died Saturday, February 28, 2015, at his home near Manchester.

Benjamin Koester was born September 4, 1996, in Torrance, California, the son of Jay and Cheryl (McLaughlin) Koester. 

He moved with his family to Manchester in 1999 and was educated in the West Delaware Community School district.

Benjamin was a baptized and confirmed member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Eldorado, Iowa.

Benjamin was a senior at West Delaware High School where he enjoyed academics, speech, had wrestled, and played on the West Delaware High School Football team.  He also liked music and enjoyed playing his fiddle. 

Ben loved his family and all animals. His hobbies were motorcycles, fishing  (just like to catch ‘em), hunting fossils, making his parents proud, and interested in everything. He was an amazing brother, always ready for an adventure, he liked to golf with Grampa Dick, and enjoyed doing farm chores with Grampa Ron.

Benjamin is survived by his parents, Jay and Cheryl Koester of Manchester; his brother, Lucas Koester of Ames; his paternal grandfather, Ronald Koester of Eldorado, his maternal grandmother, Colleen McLaughlin of Harlan; aunts and uncles, Jeff (Sandy) Koester of Eldorado, Jim (Lori) Koester of West Union, Kristi (Mark) Meitner of West Union, Melisa (Tim) Lenth of Monona, Ronda Koester of Decorah,  and Dan (Amy) McLaughlin of Overland Park, Kansas; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Arlene Koester, and his maternal grandfather, Richard “Dick” McLaughlin.

Online condolences may be sent through www.leonard-mullerfh.com.

Visitation:   After 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4, 2015, at Leonard-Muller Funeral Home in Manchester, Iowa.  Friends may also call at First Lutheran Church after 12:00 noon on Thursday.

Funeral Service: 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2015, at First Lutheran Church, Manchester, Iowa. Officiating:  Rev. Ginny Olson and Rev. Tony D. Ede.

Interment: Friday, March 6, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. St. Peter’s Cemetery – Eldorado, Iowa

Casket Bearers: Jeff Koester, Jim Koester, Mark Meitner, Tim Lenth, Dan McLaughlin, Rudy Koester

Music: Lynne Rasmussen, Doug Stock        9u9