Byrl A. Koester, age 83, died suddenly at his home in Tyler, Minnesota on Sunday, September 26, 2021. Memorial visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lake Benton, Minnesota. A prayer service will follow at 7:00 PM. A memorial service will be on Thursday, September 30, 2021, at 11:00 AM at church. Inurnment will be at Danebod Cemetery in Tyler, Minnesota. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hartquist Funeral Home – Tyler Chapel.
Byrl Alvin Koester was born on August 19, 1938 in Drammen Township of Lincoln County, Minnesota to Leo and Esther (Trautman) Koster. He attended rural country school (District #50) through 7th grade and then went on to Lake Benton Public School, graduating in 1956. He attended South Dakota State University for a short time. Byrl married Miriam Luschen in August of 1958, and they resided on the family farm in Drammen Township. Their children, Dan and Peggy, were raised on the family farm. Miriam passed away in 1976. In 1977, Byrl married Karen Faaborg and adopted their daughter, Kelli, and Karen adopted his children. Brandon was a later blessing to this union. They moved to Tyler, Minnesota in 1987. Byrl loved farming and did so for over 50 years with his brother, Joel and cousin, Mark Trautman. He also worked as an over-the-road and fuel transport trucker. He enjoyed sports, especially playing fast-pitch softball with the Lake Benton Green Team. Byrl played centerfield and catcher, and was a powerful hitter! He enjoyed playing golf and watching his kids and grandkids play sports.
Byrl is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Karen of Tyler; sons, Roger (Joan) Koster of Chaska, Minnesota, Dan (Joan) Koster of Redwood Falls, Minnesota, and Brandon (Mandy) Koster of Shakopee, Minnesota; son-in-law, Loren Brockhouse of Urbandale, Iowa; grandchildren, Matthew (Carly) Koster, Micaela (Mark) Maeyaert, Michael Koster, Jackson (Sarah) Koster, Bailey (Justin) Theis, Alec Koster, Megan (Nelson) Cooper, Grant (Hannah) Brockhouse, Aspen Brockhouse, Phillip Koster, and Lucy Koster; great-grandchildren, Jase, Aiden, Kason, Camden, Decker, Ellison, and Benton; siblings, Dave (Liz) Koster, Dale (Sharon) Koster, Joel (Kathy) Koster, Diann (Gene) Moon; brother-in-law, Jerry Kuhn; and sister-in-law, Carol Koster. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Miriam Koster; two infant daughters; daughters, Kelli Koster and Peggy Brockhouse; brother, Lester Koster; and sister, Verna Kuhn.
Byrl had a great faith and tremendous confidence in the promises of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He will be forever loved and remembered by his family!
