Robert Bernard (Bob) Kuestersteffen passed away at 1:15 pm on Thursday, November 17th, from complications due to a long-term illness. He was 90 years old.
Bob was born the 7th of 12 children on August 20th, 1932, in Iola, KS. He was born in Iola but immediately returned home to the family farm 2 miles south of Piqua, KS. He lived on the farm with his parents (Gerhard and Margaret (Kreimer)), eleven of his siblings (two died in infancy), and an uncle and grandmother until entering the United States Army.
After several years in the service, he returned home and married Inez Ruth King, who lived "across the section" from him as he grew up. They moved to Yates Center, KS, and raised eight children.
Bob was a banker by trade and worked most of his career in the State Exchange Bank in Yates Center. He enjoyed golfing and spent many a Saturday afternoon at the local sand green golf course. Sundays were reserved for God and family, and Sunday afternoons usually found the family driving the ten miles back to the Piqua family farm to visit Bob's parents, siblings, and other relatives.
As Inez and Bob got closer to retirement, they began to travel and saw much of the United States by car. In addition, they traveled to Medugorje, Yugoslavia, in 1991 and to Hawaii, Alaska, and Canada. During all that time, their door remained open to their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Finally, in 1998 they retired to Humboldt, Kansas, where they lived until Inez passed in 2017. Bob left Humboldt a couple of years later and lived with his son, Mike until he died.
Bob's true legacy was his family. He and Inez were married for 62 years. They had four daughters and four sons, thirteen granddaughters and thirteen grandsons, and twenty-six great-grandchildren. Their children were teachers, technicians, analysts, and artisans. As a family, they have traveled worldwide, as each set out to make the world a better place.
He is survived by his daughters Jeanne (Paul) Falke of Westphalia, Jannet (Rich) Clinesmith of Lakeview, IA, Patricia (Bob) Benignus of Salina, KS, Carol (Matt) Dale of Laytonville, CA; his sons David (Gail) of Wichita, Richard (Sherra) of Emporia, Michael (Christine) of El Dorado and Matt (Alaine) of Wichita; his 13 granddaughters; his 13 grandsons; his 26 great-grandchildren; and two brothers Charles Kuestersteffen and Joseph Kuestersteffen.
A rosary vigil will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, November 25th at St John Catholic Church in El Dorado, KS. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, at St John Catholic Church. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Humboldt at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.
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