FREDERICK KUESTER

Frederick John Kuester, age 80, of Neenah, Wisconsin and Vero Beach, Florida died peacefully at his Neenah home on April 1, 2022. Mr. Kuester was born in Neenah on August 9, 1941, the first child of John H. and Dorothea G. Kuester. Raised and educated in Wisconsin, Fred always considered Neenah to be his home base. As a youth, Fred very actively enjoyed Lake Winnebago activities including water skiing and sailing. When not on the lake, he could be found on the basketball or tennis courts or the links at Ridgeway. In the winter he enjoyed ice skating and the Boy's Brigade, but his favorite activity was downhill skiing.

Following his 1959 graduation from Neenah High, he enrolled in the Wisconsin University system. Fred took a four year break from school to serve with distinction as a U.S. Coast Guard Officer. Upon receiving his honorable discharge, he returned to college in Wisconsin. After earning his Business Degree, he started his 27 year career at Neenah Foundry Company in Human Resource Management. That same year, he married Koralyn Lange, with whom he had three sons.

Retiring as Corporate Director of Industrial Relations, Fred relocated to Vero Beach, Florida in 1995. However, after 2 years of retirement, he was recruited to start a Personnel Department for Hale Indian River Groves, Inc. and became their Chief Personnel Officer. In 2006, Hale Groves was purchased by Southern Fulfillment Services, LLC where he remained employed until he again retired in 2011.

During his over 40 years in corporate management, Mr. Kuester chaired and served on many Boards of Directors related to community and charitable activities. Mr. Kuester was an outgoing man who made numerous lifelong friends in both the Neenah and Vero Beach communities.

After retirement, Fred most enjoyed his time with family and friends and particularly his time with his partner Diane “Annie” Klabunde and his three sons for whom his love was never ending. He also enjoyed his home improvement projects, motorcycle riding and walking the beach.

He is survived by his three sons, Lance, John (Elicia), and Curt (Stephanie); his wonderful sister Laura (Les) Wyman; and a very special love, friend and companion, Diane Klabunde, of Neenah and Vero Beach. He was proceeded in death by his mother, father, and brother, Jeffrey.

Memorial service for Fred will be 12:00 PM (noon) on Saturday April 16, 2022, at WESTGOR FUNERAL HOME, Neenah, with Rev. Amy Engebose officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home Saturday morning beginning at 11:00 AM until the 12:00 PM service. Full military honors will follow.