Warren C. Koester, 74, Rochert, MN, died Friday, June 16 at his home under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. Warren Conrad Koester was born August 21, 1942 in Pipestone, MN to Walter and Ruth (Chamberlin) Koester. He was raised on a farm west of Flandreau, SD where his dad farmed and his mother was a country school teacher. Warren graduated in 1960, valedictorian of his class at Egan High School in Egan, SD. Although Warren helped his dad with daily chores on the farm, he participated in many extracurricular activities. Those included sports, student council, Boys State, YCL, FFA and 4-H. Warren and his brother, Wally, participated in many South Dakota State Fairs. After high school, Warren furthered his education graduating from South Dakota State University with a degree in Animal Science with a science option. Through the years, he took graduate courses at the University of Minnesota, Moorhead State, North Dakota State University, the University of Minnesota St. Paul and Eastern Washington University in Spokane, WA. During his working career, Warren was a livestock buyer for Wilson Packing Company in Albert Lea, MN following his graduation from SDSU. He then moved to Huron, SD and bought livestock for Armour Packing Company. While in Huron, he was director of the South Dakota State Fair Carcass Shows and was a judge for various county 4-H livestock shows. As the meat packing industry went through change, Warren altered his career into working as a livestock nutritionist for Ralston Purina. In January, 1973, he was offered a teaching position at the Detroit Lakes Vo-Tech. He taught at the Vo-Tech for 13 years until the program was eliminated in 1986. After teaching at the Vo-Tech, Warren continued working in the livestock nutrition industry with Becker Feed and the Ashby Farmers Elevator until retiring in 2016. While living in the lakes area, Warren was a member of Playhouse 4-H and People to People International. He also was an advisor to the Detroit Lakes High School FFA judging team and was a parking coordinator during WeFest since 1983. During his spare time, Warren enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, snowmobiling, 4-wheeling, camping and traveling.

Survivors include two sons: Greg (Kelly) Koester and Joe Koester all of Tucson, AZ, 6 grandchildren: Jenni (Kurt) Pulazinski, Elliot Koester, Katie Koester, Lincoln Koester, Chelsea Koester, Pepper Koester; 1 great grandchild, Alex. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Wally and a nephew, Joshua Ziemer.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Saturday, July 1 at David-Donehower Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes, MN, Gary and Connie Pieske officiating. Friends may call 5:00 – 7:00 PM with a time of sharing at 7:00 PM on Friday, June 30 at David-Donehower Funeral Home. The visitation will continue 1 hour prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home.

A second Memorial Service will be held Friday, July 7 at 11AM at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Flandreau, SD. Interment will be held at Union Cemetery in Flandreau.