HURON — Michael S. Koester, 47, of Huron, passed away suddenly at his home Sunday, July 21, 2019, at his home.
His funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 27, at Living Hope Alliance Church in Huron. Burial will be in Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery with military rights by Huron Veteran’s Council. Visitation, with his family present will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Welter Funeral Home with a prayer service and time of sharing to begin at 6:30 p.m. or one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.
Michael Shane Koester was born on February 21, 1972, in Huron. He was the beloved son of Albert Eugene and Cheryl (Phillips) Koester. Michael loved life, and participated in many activities during his youth including hockey (as a team goalie), 4-H member, Boy Scouts of America, and later in his life he enjoyed the sport of bull riding.
Michael graduated from Huron High School in 1990. He participated in the Civil Air Patrol and received several awards during his service. The Civil Air Patrol inspired him to pursue his interest in the Air Force. He enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served his country as a Crew Chief during Operation Desert Storm on the C-5 aircraft transport carrier.
Michael loved the great outdoors and enjoyed his days spent with his family, fishing and hunting. He was employed as a maintenance engineer for Dakota Provisions for several years. He loved his position, the staff, and his coworkers.
Michael is survived by his mother, Cheryl Koester and her forever friend, Don Schmidt of Huron; daughter, Taylor Deering of Lake Tahoe, Nev.; two brothers, Albert (Jill) Koester of Williamsburg, Mich., and Brian (Stacie) Koester of Huron; sister, Michele (Ronnie Lee) Koester of Sisseton; Uncle Allan (Donna) Phillips of Colman; Aunt Janice (Randy) Werdin of Sioux Falls; and several nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews; and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Albert Koester in 2002; maternal and paternal grandparents; and his uncle, Steven Phillips.
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