Joseph Kesteloot

Joseph Gustave Kesteloot was born, the youngest of four boys, on June 1, 1926 in Marshall to Gustaf and Romania (Lansen) Kesteloot. After his mother’s death, Joseph was raised by his aunt and uncle in Ghent. He graduated from Marshall High School and later joined the U.S. Navy where he served in Guam aboard an Aircraft Carrier. After his discharge, Joe returned to Green Valley, Minnesota and started farming. On January 3, 1951, Joe was united in marriage to Margaret Elizabeth Dieken. They moved to rural Milroy in early 1953 where they continued farming. Joseph was a lifelong farmer with dairy, cattle and hogs. He enjoyed music, ballroom dancing, reading and bowling. In his later years, he enjoyed traveling. Joseph was a member of the Milroy School Board, the Creamery Board, later the Agri-Service Board, and St. Michael’s Catholic Church. Joseph will be remembered by his family for his sweet and gentle spirit. After a long series of strokes, Joseph died on Monday, March 5, 2007 at the Critical Care Unit at Sanford Health in Sioux Falls, SD. He is survived by his children Louise Kvick of Ramsey, Rosemary (Cliff) Kesteloot Ratkovich of Long Beach, CA, Bruce Kesteloot of Milroy, granddaughter Katrina Kvick (fiancé Jason) and great-grandchildren Jordan and Meghan, siblings Victor Kesteloot of Marshall, Cecilia Meinzer of Canby, Bernadette Brandt of Marshall, Greg Kesteloot of Marshall, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Margaret, his second wife Charlene, his brothers Omar, Tuffy, Leo, Harry and John Kesteloot and his sister Marie Caron.