Robert Koester

Robert "Bob" Koester, 81, of Moorland passed away peacefully with family by his side at Southfield wellness Community, Webster City on Sunday, February 8, 2026.

Bob was born November 26, 1944, in Fort Dodge, Iowa to Alvin and Florence (Butler) Koester. Bob attended and graduated from Story City Community High School in 1963. He married Deb Meyers on June 5, 1965. They eventually settled in Roelyn and welcomed two children, Laurie and Jim. The family lived on an acreage for a period of time and raised cattle, pigs, and other animals.

Bob worked various jobs before he began working for the Farmers Elevator Company of Roelyn in April of 1970. He became the assistant manager of the elevator in 1977. In 1978, Farmers Elevator merged with New Cooperative and Bob became the site manager of the Roelyn New Cooperative. He later became the regional manager and head of operation for New Coop during his 41-year career. Bob was the first to work, the last to leave and he had an unmatched dedication to those he managed. Bob was an avid card player, enjoying the games of Pitch, Poker, and Boorah.

Bob is survived by his daughter Laurie (Randy) Kalahar of Gowrie, son Jim (Julie) Koester of Manson, two grandchildren Kyle and Trevor, four great-grandchildren Karter, Brielle, Kaleb, and Brooklyn, sister Diane (Steve) Wingerson of Mesa, AZ, nephew Andy (Tiffany) Wingerson, and great-nephew Weston. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 14, 2026 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Moorland. Following the mass, a celebration of life will be at the Moorland Community Center. A visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday at Laufersweiler Funeral Home. The family would ask everyone in attendance to dress casual in their favorite blue jeans, as Bob did. In lieu of plants, memorials may be left to the family's discretion.