Dr. Harold J. Kestel

Dr. Harold J. Kestel, age 96, of Storm Lake, Iowa died Sunday, July 17, 2016 at the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake. Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, July 21, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Burial will follow in the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery with full military rites by the Alta VFW Post #6172. Visitation will take place Wednesday, July 20, 2016 from 5-7:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. A vigil service is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. followed by a K.C. Rosary all at the funeral home. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Dr. Harold J. Kestel was born November 20, 1919 in Remsen, Iowa, the son of Frank and Theresa (Niehus) Kestel. Early in his life, Harold was baptized and later confirmed in the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Remsen. Harold “Doc” attended high school at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Remsen, where he graduated in 1937. He furthered his education at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. Doc earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Science in 1942, and then his D.D.S. Degree in 1944. In 1944, World War II took Doc from dental college to the U.S. Navy. His initial orders sent him to Pearl Harbor to practice dentistry. He then boarded the USS Barbican, a mine sweeper, again to practice dentistry. This ship took him to such notable places such as Yokohama and Sasebo in Japan, Tinian in the Marianas, and Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Doc was honorably discharged in 1946. On October 16, 1946, Doc was united in marriage to Syvilla “Vel” Bedel in Wall Lake, Iowa at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Together they were blessed with two children, Gwenette and Rodney. Doc was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake where he also was a member of the Knights of Columbus, including the Fourth Degree. He was Grand Knight from 1960 — 1962. Besides being involved in the Knights of Columbus, Doc was a Commissioner of Veteran Affairs and held offices in the VFW and Iowa Dental Association. Doc teamed his thirst for travel with his professional skills and volunteered his services to the Dental Association of Israel, following his retirement from his dental practice in Storm Lake. This opportunity enabled him to practice dentistry on the Lebanon border and outside of the city of Jerusalem. He found this experience to be richly rewarding. In addition to travel, he enjoyed flying his Cessna 172 airplane, gardening, water activities, reading, and lively conversations with friends. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Those left to cherish his memory include his children: Gwenette (Peter) Faust of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin and Chicago, Illinois; Rodney Kestel of Omaha, Nebraska; brother: Francis “Bud” (Bonnie) Kestel of New Hampton, Iowa; sisters: Cleo Lord of Des Moines, Iowa; Lorna Pick of Omaha, Nebraska; grandchildren: Christopher Kestel of Omaha, Nebraska; Timothy Kestel of Omaha, Nebraska; Lauren Kestel of Omaha, Nebraska; step-grandchildren: Derek (Marcie) Faust of Chicago, Illinois; Jeremy (Danelle) Faust of Chicago, Illinois; extended family and friends. Doc was preceded in death by his parents: Frank and Theresa Kestel; wife, Syvilla “Vel” Kestel; brothers: Gildas Kestel and Carl Kestel; sisters: Ethel Wesselmann and Mary Ann Flynn; daughter-in-law: Sharon “Kate” Kestel; and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Dr. Harold J. Kestel

November 20, 1919 - July 17, 2016