MEESTER, Arthur W. 1930-2000

MEESTER, KLASSEN, HENRICKS

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 7/7/2014 at 13:27:04

Arthur William Meester, 70, of Parkersburg, passed away Thursday, Oct. 5, 2000, at the Cedar Falls Lutheran Home of complications from long term illnesses.

Funeral services were 10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 9, at Colfax Center Presbyterian Church, Holland. Rev. Larry Hoop officiated. Burial was in the church cemetery with full military rites conducted by the Grundy Center American Legion Post #349.

Pallbearers were Tim Kolder, James Beavers, Jamie Stoner, Cory Schnell, Terry Stoner and Rick Stoner.

Arthur was born the son of Henry A. and Toma Klaassen Meester on Sept. 22, 1930, at his parents home, rural Holland. He received his education from the Grundy Center Community School and graduated from high school in 1949. Arthur did custom feed grinding until 1952 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War. During his enlistment he achieved the rank of Corporal and received an honorable discharge. When he returned home, Arthur began farming which became his pride and joy.

On Jan. 15, 1973, Arthur was united in marriage with Mary Henricks in Vinton. They made their home on his parents' farm near Holland and worked his father's land until retiring from farming in 1982. Arthur and Mary then moved to the Colfax Center Presbyterian Church in 1984 where they served as custodians.

Arthur was a lifelong member of the Colfax Center Presbyterian Church in Holland and belonged to the Grundy Center American Legion. Arthur enjoyed fishing with family and grandchildren and the trips they took to Lake Pepin, MN. He had a special love for all different kinds of wild life and had a pet squirrel he could feed acorns out of his hand. Some special times were when the family would get together and Arthur would barbecue on the grill or when the grandchildren would spend time with him and help him out on the farm. On summer days Arthur showed great dedication and pleasure in the up keep of the church grounds.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marlys Meester; his parents; an infant son and an infant daughter; step-son, Dale Giesking; one sister, Ella Meester; and one brother, Vernon Meester.

Arthur is survived by his wife, Mary Meester of Parkersburg; four step-daughters, Linda Schnell and her husband Eddy of Grundy Center, Donna Kolder and her husband Robert of Parkersburg, Gwendolyn Giesking of Bloomington, IL and Lillian Beavers and her husband Tom of Jordan, MN; 11 step-grandchildren; three daughters, Natalie Devereaut, Valerie Schweiger and Melanie Banks; one sister, Harriet Stoner and her friend Roger of Holland; and three nephews.

Schwartz Funeral Home, Parkersburg, was in charge of the arrangements.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 12 October 2000, pg 3