Lester A. Kosters | 1948 - 2023
Obituaries-Mobridge / Posted Jun 3, 2023 | 8:13 AM / 444 views
Mass of Christian Burial for Lester A. Kosters, 74, of Mobridge will be at 11 AM, Tuesday June 6, 2023, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Mobridge. Inurnment will be at Black Hills National Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will start at 5 PM Monday with a prayer service at 7 PM at the church. Lester passed away Thursday, June 1, 2023 at the Mobridge Regional Hospital. Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge is in charge of arrangements.
Lester Andrew Kosters was born July 30, 1948, to John and Irene (Raba) Kosters in Mobridge, SD. Lester grew up in rural Java, attended six years at West Spring Valley and six years at Java, graduating in 1966. Lester was drafted in 1968 for the Army with duty stations of Ft. Riley, Kansas and Germany for Reforger I, he was honorably discharged in 1970. Lester worked on the family farm for one year after the Army, in exchange for a new Ford Torino, which is still in the family. Lester married Janet (Sjomeling) June 4, 1971, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Selby.
Lester participated in fast pitch softball, slow pitch softball and independent basketball leagues in his early years where he traveled throughout the state where life-long friendships were made. He enjoyed golfing with family and friends and occasionally partook of an adult beverage (aiming oil). In his free time, he was always trying to fix something even if it wasn’t broken. He enjoyed taking things apart to see how it worked and most of the time there were parts left over. Lester enjoyed helping others, NO was not in his vocabulary, if you needed anything from him, he would help no questions asked.
Lester started working at Jensen Rock and Sand in 1973 and continued until his semi-retirement in 2021. He considered the Jensens part of his family and looked forward to going to work every day. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed visiting his sons in Brookings, SD and Hutchinson, MN.
Lester is proceeded in death by John (father) and Larry (brother).
Lester is survived by Irene (mother), Janet (wife), Sons James (Stephanie) and Michael (Heidi); Grandchildren Ashley (Jimmy Downing), Tyler, Colton (Maddie Johnson), Tori, Braxton; brothers, LaVerne “Kooner” (Paula), Lyle (Treni); sisters, Jane (Allen Mertz), Marie (Richard Mueller), Beverly (Rodney Ruzsa), Geralyn (Marvin Vandervelden); Mother in-law Anna Sjomeling, Sister in-laws Cindy Sandmeier and Jackie (Robert Vetsch); Brother in-law Kenny (Patty) Sjomeling and many nieces and nephews.