Syvilla Kestel

Syvilla "Vel" Kestel, age 97, of Storm Lake, Iowa died Sunday, July 12, 2015 at Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 15, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in the St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation will take place Tuesday, July 14, 2015 from 5-7:00 p.m. with a rosary at 5:00 p.m. and a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. all at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Syvilla Bedel was born October 2, 1917 in Wall Lake, Iowa the daughter of Anton and Cecelia (Fix) Bedel. As an infant, she was baptized and later confirmed at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wall Lake. Growing up, she attended school in Wall Lake where she graduated from Wall Lake High School in 1935. She furthered her education at Boyles Business College in Omaha, Nebraska. After graduation she was employed as secretary to the office manager of the Safeway grocery stores in Omaha. On October 16, 1946, Vel was united in marriage to Dr. Harold Kestel at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wall Lake. Together, they were blessed with two children: Gwenette and Rodney. Vel, a devoted Catholic, was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake where she served as president of the St. Mary’s Guild and secretary and vice president of the Catholic Daughters of America. Vel enjoyed playing cards, particularly bridge, and played a lot. But, most of all she loved her home and family. Family meant everything to her. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Those left to cherish her memory include her husband of 68 years, Dr. Harold Kestel of Storm Lake, Iowa; children: Gwenette (Peter) Faust of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin and Chicago, Illinois; and Rodney Kestel of Omaha, Nebraska; grandchildren: Christopher Kestel, Timothy Kestel, and Lauren Kestel all of Omaha, Nebraska; step grandchildren: Derek (Marcie) Faust and Jeremy (Danelle) Faust all of Chicago, Illinois; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; nephews; nieces; cousins; extended family and many friends. Syvilla was preceded in death by her parents, Anton and Cecelia Bedel; daughter-in-law, Sharon “Kate” Kestel; three brothers: Aloysius Bedel; Gontren Bedel; Lester Bedel; one sister, DoLores Gerdes; and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Syvilla Kestel

October 2, 1917 - July 12, 2015