Gary Robert Meester
Gary Meester, 82, Sioux Falls, died Friday, June 21, 2019, at home surrounded by his family. Gary (Coxie) Meester was born on May 13, 1937 to Frank Meester and Gertrude Hinrichs Meester. He was their 13th child born on the 13th day. Gary was raised and attended school in Ellsworth, MN.
A Celebration of Life will be 11am, Tuesday, June 25, 2019, at Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth, MN, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Military Honors will follow.
Gary loved riding and working with horses. He owned and trained several horses in his spare time. He also liked helping out his best friend George, with putting up hay. George’s girls loved seeing Coxie show up as it was a great help to them. Gary loved plowing snow. He could not wait for it to slow down so he could start plowing the streets. He often went out in the middle of the night to start and he took pride in having the streets clear when the town woke up to go to work. Once the street work was done and he was off work, he would help out the older folks scoop their driveways and sidewalks.
After Gary’s stroke on July 3, 2008, they moved to Sioux Falls, SD. Gary and Judy would return to Ellsworth on the weekends until they sold their house there. Gary attended Day Break at Active Generations in Sioux Falls, and the staff there assigned him to be the official greeter to anyone “New” that came in. He had the gift of being able to make friends with anyone he met.
Gary will be deeply missed by his wife, Judy; three children, Dawn (Mike) Van Den Top, Rock Rapids, IA, Larry (Robin Matson) Meester, Ellsworth, MN, and Dominic (James Rollag) Meester, Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren, Christopher (Caitlin) Van Den Top, Sioux Falls, SD, Jonathan (Maren) Van Den Top, Des Moines, IA, Samantha (Gaje) Sammons, Rock Rapids, IA, and Riley Meester, Ellsworth, MN; great-grandchildren, Elizabeth and Everhett Sammons.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, 5 brothers and 6 sisters.
Judy, Dominique and family. Sorry for your loss. You will be in my thoughts as you remember him.
Sorry for your loss. He always seemed to be in such a good mood, as I remember him.
Our deepest sympathy on the loss of Gary (Coxie). No words can express the loss you and your family feels right now. We have many fond memories growing up two doors down from Frank and Gertrude Meester’s family. We remember how hard working Codie was for the town of Ellsworth. He always had a smile and a friendly greeting for each resident. Ellsworth had a very loyal and dedicated public servant in Coxie Please tell his sisters, Connie and Marge, that Steven and I are thinking about them, also. God bless you and your family during this difficult time🙏🏻
I’m so sorry to hear about Gary passing. No matter what, you’re in my thoughts, heart and I’m praying for you all.