Roland E. Pester, age 86, of Watertown, SD, passed away Friday, January 16, 2015 at Golden Living Center in Lake Norden, SD. Funeral mass will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at Immaculate Conception Church in Watertown with Father Kenneth Koster officiating. Music by Danielle Holmquist-Holida as organist and Immaculate Conception Funeral Choir.
Visitation will be 4:00-8:00 p.m., with a scripture service at 7:00 p.m., followed by a rosary, Tuesday at Wight, Comes & Sogn Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
Interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Watertown, with Military Honors by Codington County Post 17 of the American Legion and South Dakota Navy Funeral Honors Team.
Pallbearers will be Rex Pester, Lucas Pester, Michael Pester, Melissa Karpinski, Nathan Pester, Christopher Migge, Zachary Zgurich, Chad Waege and Josie Pester.
Honorary pallbearers will be all of Roland’s other grandchildren.
Roland Edward Pester was born April 18, 1928 to Kurt and Nora (Kuether) Pester in Merrill, Wisconsin.
Roland came to South Dakota to become a farmer and work the land. He did so with working for Frank and Mary Cordell, who had a daughter named, Mary. Roland married Mary Margaret Cordell on February 18, 1950 at Holy Rosary Catholic in Kranzburg, South Dakota. Roland bought his own farm near Watertown where the couple raised their children.
Roland was very involved with the National Guard, he was an Americanism officer in Oratory for the children’s programs through the American Legion, he was active in the Corn Growers Association, Soil and Water Conservation, and community programs where he grew and donated pumpkins, corn and other items. He was also a member of the Alzheimer’s Association and many other organizations.
Roland is survived by his wife, Mary, of 64 years; his children, Dave (Mel) Pester of Watertown, Ron (special friend, Barb) Pester of Kranzburg, Jim (Sandy) Pester of Watertown, Noreen Pester of Watertown, Tom Pester of Watertown, Jeff (Lynn) Pester of White, Mary (Wolf) Migge of Watertown, Angela Zgurich of Blaine, MN, Annette (Shawn) Sullivan of Grand Forks, ND, Michael Pester of Watertown and Randall Pester of Aberdeen; siblings, Emily Zemke, of Merrill, WI, Eleanor Loud of Clinton, TN, Fred (Carol) Pester of Merrill, WI and Donald (Pat) Pester of Shakopee, MN; sister-in-law, Peggy Pester of Marquette, MI; 29 grandchildren; 30 great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Phillip John Pester; brothers, Richard, Gus and Bill; brothers-in-law, Arnold and Gene; and sisters-in-law, Beverly and Bernice.
Arrangements by Wight Comes, Sogn Funeral Chapel, www.wcsfc.com.