Steven Robert Koester, 72, surrendered his hand to the Angels peacefully on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021 at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Peace Lutheran Church in Arlington, Mn. on Saturday, Oct. 9. The service will begin at 11 a.m. with visitation two hours prior to the service.

Born Sept. 10, 1949 to Melvin and Inez Koester, Steve was baptized at First Lutheran Church in Glencoe and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Green Isle. He graduated from Arlington-Green Isle High School in 1967 before enlisting in the United States Army during the Vietnam era and was honorably discharged on May 16, 1969.

As a carpenter Steve lent his talents to the construction of many commercial and residential structures throughout the state. He had a passion for aviation and loved flying his airplane. He enjoyed playing baseball and softball in his younger years and spent the last decades of his life living in Arlington, Minnesota where he became an accomplished gardener, enjoying the Vikings, Timberwolves and Twins, strumming his guitar, fishing, playing cards and Perry Mason.

He loved his family and friends unconditionally and was surrounded by many of them in his final days. Steve is survived by significant other Julie Painter, sons Troy (Kari) Koester and Aric Koester, daughter Angela (Chris) Lines; Grandchildren Cora, Molly and Eden Koester, Harper and Rylee Lines, Taylor and Austin Koester; Julie’s son Mike (Mellissa) Painter; grandchildren Emma, Joe, and Ashley Painter, Kaela and Emily Reinhardt; Siblings Denny (Judi) Koester, Faye (Bill) Pinske, Linda (Dave) Downes, Rita (Tom) Edmonds, many nieces and nephews, and his loyal dog Boots.

He is preceded in death by parents Melvin and Inez Koester, son Chad Koester, nephew Jason Gieseke and Pat Painter.