Kestel, Harold J., D.D.S. (1919-2016)

KESTEL, NIEHUS, BEDEL, FAUST, LORD, WESSELMANN, FLYNN

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 8/20/2016 at 13:41:47

Dr. Harold J. Kestel
November 20, 1919 - July 17, 2016

Dr. Harold J. Kestel, age 96, of Storm Lake, Iowa, died on Sunday, July 17, 2016, at the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake.

Harold “Doc,” a son of Frank and Theresa (Niehus) Kestel, was born on November 20, 1919, in Remsen, Iowa. Baptized and later confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Remsen, he attended high school at St. Mary’s Catholic School also in Remsen where he graduated in 1937. Next, he furthered his education at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Science in 1942 and then a D.D.S. Degree in 1944.

In 1944, World War II took Doc from dental college to the U.S. Navy. His initial orders sent him to Pearl Harbor to practice dentistry. He then boarded the USS Barbican, a mine sweeper, again to practice dentistry. This ship took him to such notable places such as Yokohama and Sasebo in Japan, Tinian in the Marianas, and the Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands before he was honorably discharged in 1946.

On October 16, 1946, Doc married Syvilla “Vel” Bedel in Wall Lake, Iowa, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Subsequently, they were blessed with two children, Gwenette and Rodney.

A member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake, Doc, also, belonged to the Knights of Columbus, advancing to the Fourth Degree. From 1960 to 1962, he served as Grand Knight. In addition, as a Commissioner of Veteran Affairs, he held offices in the VFW. Moreover, he belonged to Iowa Dental Association.

Doc teamed his thirst for travel with his professional skills, and after he retired from his dental practice in Storm Lake, he volunteered his services to the Dental Association of Israel. This opportunity enabled him to practice dentistry on the Lebanon border and outside of the city of Jerusalem. He found this experience richly rewarding. His other interests included flying his Cessna 172 airplane, gardening, following and participating in various water activities, reading, and having lively conversations with friends. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Those left to cherish his memory include his children: Gwenette (Peter) Faust, of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and Chicago, Illinois, and Rodney Kestel, of Omaha, Nebraska; his brother, Francis “Bud” (Bonnie) Kestel, of New Hampton, Iowa; his sisters, Cleo Lord, of Des Moines, Iowa, and Lorna Pick, of Omaha, Nebraska; his grandchildren: Christopher, Timothy, and Lauren Kestel, all of Omaha, Nebraska; and his step-grandchildren, Derek (Marcie) Faust and Jeremy (Danelle) Faust, both of Chicago, Illinois; as well as extended family members and friends.

Doc was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Theresa Kestel; his wife, Syvilla “Vel” Kestel; his brothers, Gildas and Carl Kestel; his sisters, Ethel Wesselmann and Mary Ann Flynn; and his daughter-in-law, Sharon “Kate” Kestel; as well as several by brothers- and sisters-in-law.

A Funeral Mass will be offered Thursday, July 21, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery with full military rites provided by the Alta VFW Post #6172. Visitation will take place Wednesday, July 20, 2016, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. A vigil service is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. followed by a K.C. Rosary all at the funeral home. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.

Copyright © 2016, Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Homes

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