Ronald Max Koester, 71, of North Platte, NE passed away on Monday, July 17, 2023 at Bryan Medical Center East in Lincoln, NE.
Ron was born on October 5, 1951 in North Platte, NE and raised on the family farm near Wellfleet, NE. He was the son of Floyd and H. Maxine (VonGoetz) Koester.
Ron attended North Platte High School until his senior year when he transferred to Maywood High School, graduating in 1969. It was during his high school years that he met his future wife, Sherie Fairchild. They were married in 1971 and together they had two daughters: Jennifer and Rebecca. Ron attended and graduated from the diesel mechanic program at Mid-Plains Community College and worked at various local car dealerships. He then was hired on at the Union Pacific Railroad as a mechanical foreman and travelled for several years before being stationed in the mechanical shop at North Platte. Ron loved helping his dad and always felt most at peace on the family farm and ranch near Wellfleet that had been in his family for generations. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and outdoorsman.
Those left to cherish Ron’s memory are his daughters, Jennifer Gilliland of Trenton, TN, and Rebecca Koester of Bells, TN; grandchildren, Daniel, O’Brian, and Justin Gilliland, Dalton Milam, and Gracelyn Watkins; sisters, Vicki (Rodney) Winder of North Platte, and Linda Smith of Lincoln; former spouse, Sherie Koester of Jackson, TN; children and grandchildren of Ron’s late companion Linda, Rob (Kristin) Flood, Jim (Jen) Flood and Cathy Kohler; their children, Dillon Whittier, Jacob, Kyle and Ryan Kohler and Taryn, Jaycee and Tenley Flood; as well as many nieces, nephews and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Maxine, companion, Linda Flood, and brother-in-law, Harold Smith.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 24, 2023 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte with Pastor Ryan Alexander officiating. Burial will follow in the Wellfleet Cemetery. Visitation with the family receiving friends will be from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, July 23rd at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which has been entrusted with the arrangements.