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DON KUESTER

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Don Kuester, 89, of Richland, died Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Richland.

He was born July 12, 1933, in St. Louis, Mo. to Raymond and Olga Seybold Kuester.

On June 23, 1962, he was united in marriage to Eleanor Gaye Dent.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, David Kuester and by his brother-in-law, Michael Murphy.

Don’s post-graduate career started in Steelville where he taught high school science in 1961. In 1962, the newlyweds were elated to move to Columbia. Don accepted a position as a research biologist completing water quality research with the Missouri Department of Conversation, and Eleanor finished her degree in education. They happily lived in Columbia until 1966, when an opportunity to buy land along the beloved Gasconade presented itself. He and Eleanor bought their current farm and moved to Richland to raise black angus cattle, and Don taught high school science at Crocker. Don arrived at Richland High School to teach high school science in 1969, the same year his daughter Jennifer was born. His son Daniel was born in 1971. Don taught at Richland until retiring in 1993. 

He was a longtime member of Richland United Methodist Church.

Don is survived by his wife, Eleanor his loving and devoted partner of 60 years; one daughter Jennifer Barth (Adam) of Flower Mound, TX; one son Daniel Kuester of Manhattan, KS; grandson Dylan Wilford; sister Helen Davis; sister-in-law Patricia Murphy; nephews Mark Davis (Darlene), Sean Murphy, and Patrick Murphy (Shalon); nieces Anne Grothe (Allen), and Carol Moakley (Brien); and many loving friends and extended family members. Don was predeceased by his parents Ray and Olga, brother David, and brother-in-law Michael Murphy.       

A memorial service for Don Kuester will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, at Richland United Methodist Church with the Rev. Mitch Henson officiating. Burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery at a later date, under the direction of Shadel’s Colonial Chapel of Lebanon. Visitation will be from noon until service time at 2 p.m. at Richland United Methodist Church in Richland. Memorials have been suggested in memory of Don to the “Don Kuester Memorial Fund’’ to assist youth in the Richland community. Donations may be left at or mailed to Shadel’s Colonial Chapel, P.O. Box 948 or 1001 N. Lynn, Lebanon, Mo. 65536. Sign guest book at www.shadelscolonialchapel.com.