KESL, Richard Paul 1922-2018

KESL, BEHOUNEK, VAJGRT

Posted By: K.L. Kittleson
Date: 4/6/2018 at 18:01:40

Services:
A family directed Celebration of Life Service will be held at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 11, 2018 at Lowe Park Arts and Environmental Center 4500 N. 10th St. Marion, Iowa.

Visitation:
Family will receive friends from 3:30 p.m. until service time at Lowe Park Arts and Environmental Center in Marion.

Cemetery:
private family burial will be held in the Garden of Memories Cemetery

Memorials:
may be directed to Hiawatha Care Center Activity Program.

Biography--

Richard Paul Kesl, 95, of Waterloo, died peacefully at Hiawatha Care Center in Hiawatha, Iowa surrounded by his loving family.

Richard was born August 21, 1922 on a farm near Elberon, Iowa. He was the son of Fred and Agnes (Behounek) Kesl. Richard was raised on the farm before moving into town.

He was drafted into the Army at the age of 21. He fought in World War II, 242 Rainbow Divison Company M. Before embarking on his three-year time in war, he eloped with his beloved Addie (Adeline Vajgrt) on August 28, 1944 in Muskogee, Oklahoma. After returning from war, Richard continued his engineering degree, which he had started in Germany, at Chicago Technical School. Upon graduation, Richard and Adeline moved to Waterloo, Iowa which was their home for 59 years. Richard was an engineer for John Deere in Waterloo, Iowa for 35 years. After retirement, Richard and Adeline spent their winters in Phoenix, Arizona.

He enjoyed playing golf, table tennis and in his later years he loved to play bingo. You could also find Richard in a boat fishing on some of his favorite lakes.

Richard is survived by his children, Linda (Arlyn) Sievert of Kentwood, Michigan, Susan (Craig) Cooper of Davenport, Iowa, Lyle (Barb) Kesl of Kelley, Iowa, and Carol Kesl of Marion, Iowa; eight grandchildren, Craig Ryan (Wendy) Cooper, Mitch (Tiffany) Cooper, Justin (Jessica) Sievert and Kayla (Lee) Kesl; eight great-grandchildren, Jasmyn Cooper, Shayla Cooper, Chase Cooper, Madie Cooper, Lauryn Weston, Jackson Sievert, Owen Cooper and Mason Sievert.

Richard’s love and dedication for his family was unwavering.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, his parents, his in-laws and his brother, Russell.

The family would like to thank the staff at Hiawatha Care Center for their loving care during Richard’s last two years of life.

SOURCE: Kearns funeral home website