Harold Keister

KEISTER, ROBERTSON, GARNES, HALVERSON, BOHLENDER, STRASSER, YAGER, IVERSON, SCOTT

Posted By: Bill Smith (email)
Date: 12/26/2002 at 21:07:23

Coon Rapids Enterprise, 19 March 1987, page 3:

Funeral services for Harold Keister

Funeral services for Harold S. Keister were held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 14, 1987 at the United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jerry Robertson officiating. Lula Garnes was organist.

Interment was in the Coon Rapids Cemetery. Casketbearers were Myron Halverson, Mark Halverson, David Halverson, Douglas Halverson, Dierk Halverson, Todd Bohlender, Scott Bohlender, Anne Marie Bohlender.

HAROLD STRASSER KEISTER

Harold, son of Myron B. and Rose Strasser Keister, was born July 27, 1900 at Coon Rapids, Iowa. He graduated from Coon Rapids High School in 1919 and attended Iowa State College at Ames, Iowa, for two years. He returned to Coon Rapids where he joined his father and brother in operating the Keister Lumber Company.

On March 19, 1924 he was united in marriage with Martha Yager in Coon Rapids where they continued to live. Harold retired from the lumber business in the early 1960s. About that same time Harold bought a cabin in Minnesota where he and his family spent many wonderful summers. He particularly enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Harold and Martha spent their winters in Arkansas after his retirement.

During his active years Harold was president of the school board, was a member of the Coon Rapids Fire Department where he served as fire chief and for over 50 years was a member of I.O.O.F. Lodge #459. Harold was also a member of the Coon Rapids Planning and Zoning Board and served as treasurer of the Independent Retail Lumber Dealers Association which included lumber dealers from the north central states.

Harold faithfully attended the United Methodist Church in Coon Rapids as long as his health permitted. Harold had been in failing health for 14 years and a resident of Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids for 13 years before his death there on Wednesday, March 11, 1987, at the age of 86 years, 7 months and 12 days.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Charlotte Ann as a child; a brother, William Karl Keister; and a sister, Katherine Iverson.

Harold is survived by his wife, Martha of Coon Rapids; two daughters, Mary and her husband, Don Halverson, of Coon Rapids, and Susan and her husband, Jack Bohlender, of Norwalk; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grand children; a brother-in-law; Harold "Scotty" Scott, of Coon Rapids; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.