Charles E. Koestler, 79

Charles Koestler

Granada A celebration of life service for Charles E. Koestler, age 79, of Granada, was held at the Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont, on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019 at 3 p.m. Full military honors by the Lee C. Prentice American Legion Post #36 and the Martin County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1222 were held at the conclusion of the service at the funeral home. A private family burial will be held at a later date at Rose Lake Cemetery in Pleasant Prairie Township. Charles passed away ?peacefully Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 26, 2018, at the Lakeview Methodist Health Care Center in Fairmont? surrounded by his family. The Lakeview Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Fairmont assisted the family with arrangements, www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net

Charles E. Koestler was born Feb. 11, 1939, in Delavan, the son of Ewald J. and Esther (Ehrich) Koestler. He grew up in the rural Guckeen area.

On March 19, 1956, Charles enlisted with the United States Army where he proudly served his country in Korea. Following his return to the states, he served as a member of the Army Reserve until receiving his honorable discharge on Feb. 28, 1962.

On Jan. 26, 1959, Charles was united in marriage to Lily Sager in Milbank, South Dakota. Together the couple ?made their home in rural Guckeen until 1968. ?They then moved to their current home and farm near Granada. Charlie and Lil were blessed with three children, Eugene, Debbie, and Teresa and were to celebrate their 60th year of marriage in January 2019. Charles was a dedicated and caring husband and father.

Charlie loved life on the farm. He farmed for himself for 25 years prior to starting Koestler Farm Equipment where he bought, sold, and repaired farm equipment for over 30 years. Even after his retirement on May 20, 2017, Charlie still enjoyed keeping up to date on what was happening in the farming industry.

In his spare time, Charlie enjoyed tinkering in his shop, attending farm auctions, spending time with friends, hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed riding his motorcycle and snowmobiling in his earlier years.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Lily Koestler; children, Eugene Koestler, Debbie (Richard) Mosloski, and Teresa (Jerry) Lund; grandchildren, Nicholas (Cassie Shumski) Mosloski, Nathan Mosloski, Conor Mae Lund, and Cade Lund; great-grandchildren, Chloe Mosloski and Maveric Mosloski; sisters, Marilyn (Dennis) Becker, and Sharon Pausewang; sisters-in-law, Sylvia Stedman, Emily (Lowell) Hatfield, and Eileen McLean; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Ewald and Esther Koestler; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Edwin and Elsie Sager; sister, Shirley Stringham; brother, Wayne Koestler; brothers-in-law, George Jones, Vern Stringham, Joseph Pausewang, Glen Stedman, and Jerry McLean.

The family requests memorials be directed to the American Cancer Society.