Jerome "Jerry" Koester

Jerome “Jerry” John Koester, age 64, of Coon Rapids, IA, passed away on Thursday, January 23, 2020 due to injuries suffered in an automobile accident near Corning, IA.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, January 30, 2020 at Annunciation Catholic Church in Coon Rapids with Fr. Kevin Richter as Celebrant.  Lectors for the Mass will be Nic Klocke and Mitchell Klocke.  Gift bearers will be Stacy McCaffrey and Ashley Otto.  Eucharistic Ministers will be Pat Kult and Mike McCaffrey.  Mass Server will be Camden Davis.  Casket bearers will be Ron Campos, Jeff Halbur, Donna Parrish, Mike Potthoff, Jennifer Wells Randolph, and Deb Romey. Burial will be in the Union Township Cemetery near Coon Rapids.

Friends may call at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids after 4:00 P.M. on Wednesday where there will be a Christian Wake Service at 7:00 P.M. followed by a Rosary.  The casket will be moved to Annunciation Catholic Church at 9:30 A.M. on Thursday where visitation will resume until 10:15 A.M.  Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com .  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left at the funeral home or the church at the discretion of the family.

Born on February 2, 1955 in Carroll, IA, he was the son of Louis and Rita (Venner) Koester.  Jerry grew up in the Carroll area where he graduated from Kuemper High School in 1973.  Following high school he worked for Means Cleaners and then Leslie Paper Company before starting his own business JK Vending which Jerry and Denise have operated for the past 30 years.  He was married to Denise Klocke on August 6, 1993 at Annunciation Catholic Church in Coon Rapids by Fr. Fangman.  Upon this marriage he became the father of Denise’s two boys: Don and Jacob.  He was a member of Annunciation Parish in Coon Rapids.  Jerry was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes fan.  He will be seeking out Hayden Fry in Heaven to talk football and reminisce on Fry’s philosophy, “that we’re gonna scratch where it itches”.   He also enjoyed spending special time with all of his grandkids, his pride and joy.  Writing poetry, biking, taking daily walks, traveling, going to concerts with classmates and friends, were a few of his favorite things.  Jerry was an Organ Donor, his legacy will live on through the lives of others.

Jerry is survived by his wife Denise Koester of Coon Rapids; two sons: Don Schoeppner of Rapid City, SD, and Jacob Koester of Coon Rapids; six grandchildren; Brooke and Gabby Schoeppner, and Mason, Hunter, Emma, and Jackson Koester; four step-grandchildren: John and Alex Davies, and Carter and Carlie Williams; his siblings: Pat Kult (Steve) of Coon Rapids, Mary Wolf (Brett) of Bakersfield, CA, Betty Koester of Carroll, Bill Koester of Carroll, Kathy “Snookie” Koester of Carroll, John Koester (Sheryl) of Manning, Christine Gute (Brandan) of Cedar Falls, and Paul Koester (Anita) of Newton; his in-laws: Patty Deeth (Mike) of Coon Rapids, Mike Klocke (JoAnn) of Coon  Rapids, Nadine Halbur (Rick) of Adel, Tom Klocke (Betty) of Coon Rapids, Lori Soyer (Mark) of Carroll, LeRoy “Jr.” Klocke (Christy) of Arcadia, and Gail Hopkins (Dean) of Ames; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents Louis and Rita Koester and his in-laws LeRoy and Janice Klocke.