Edward Fred Koester

Edward was born January 9, 1920, in Weeping Water, Nebraska, to Fred and Mattie Laura Nutzman Koester. He was followed by three brothers, Dale, Glen, and Ronald.

In 1927 the family moved to Idaho Falls and purchased a farm on the Snake River. During the depression times were tough and the boys learned the value of hard work. Edward graduated from Idaho Falls High School and entered the University of Idaho in 1938. His college education was interrupted by World War II. During the war he farmed in Idaho Falls and was in the army. He returned to the U of I and graduated in 1947 with a B.S. in Agricultural Economics.

On July 12, 1944, Edward and Miriam Maier were married in Paul, Idaho. After Ed’s college graduation, the couple owned and operated a bakery in Idaho Falls for three years. In 1950 the University of Idaho Extension Service in Blackfoot hired Ed as 4-H Club Agent. In December, 1952, the family moved to Gooding where Ed became County Chairman and County Agricultural Agent and in 1966 he earned his Masters of Science in Agricultural Economics specializing in Farm Management from the University of Idaho. During his career he was as an educator with 4-H members, dairy producers, woolgrowers and crop producers and was a Farm Management Specialist in Gooding, Lincoln, Camas and Blaine counties. Ed became active in the National Association of County Agricultural Agents where he held several state offices, was a member of the national board for 9 years, and served as national President when the annual meeting was held in Boise in 1979 with 1700 agents attended the meeting. He was secretary for the Gooding Soil Conservation District for 20 years, a Grange member for 40 years, President of the Gooding County Memorial Hospital Foundation and was inducted into the Southern Idaho Livestock Hall of Fame in 1992.

After retiring in 1983, he consulted in farm management, taught classes at C.S.I. and was a realtor for 26 years. Miriam and Ed served as hosts for eleven Rural Route tours in Europe, Greece, Turkey, Australia, New Zealand and Alaska. They also visited China, Japan, and Mexico. In 1993 the Koesters moved to Twin Falls. Ed enjoyed reading, gardening, growing roses, and playing cards. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Gooding and Twin Falls where he was a Sunday school teacher, lay leader, board chairman and trustee. Ed was a Master Mason and Rotary member for over 50 years, served as Rotary President and was a Paul Harris Fellow.

Edward was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Mattie Koester and his brothers, Glen and Dale Koester. He is survived by his two children, Valerie (Michael) Quesnell of Twin Falls and Dr. Brian (Barbara) Koester of Denver, Coloardo. Also surviving are four grandchildren Matthew (Abbie) Quesnell of Hansen, Dr. Elizabeth (Dr. Steven) Kohtz of Twin Falls, Eric Koester of Denver, Colorado, and Lauren (Dylan) Galleri of Golden, Colorado. His four great grandchildren were very special to him: Arabella and Josephine Kohtz and Quinn and Elliette Quesnell. He is also survived by his brother Ronald (Shirley) Koester of Idaho Falls and numerous nephews and nieces.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday January 21 at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Twin Falls, with Pastor Elaine Steele officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. Friends may visit with the family prior to the service and are invited to Michael and Valerie Quesnell’s home following the service.

Memorial contributions in Ed’s name may be given to the Twin Falls United Methodist Church, Shriners Hospital for Children or a charity of their choice.

Services are under the direction of White Mortuary “Chapel by the Park,” in Twin Falls, Idaho. Condolences may be left at www.whitemortuary.com.