Henry J. "Hank" Meester

Fairmont, MN
Mass of Christian Burial for Henry "Hank" J. Meester, age 87, of Fairmont, MN, will be 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Fairmont with military honors provided by the Lee C. Prentice American Legion Post 36 and Martin County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1222. Interment will be in Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Fairmont. Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 16, at the Lakeview Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Hank passed away on Saturday morning, October 12, 2024, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont. The Lakeview Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Fairmont is assisting the family with arrangements.
Henry Joseph Meester was born on May 24, 1937, in Sibley, IA. He was the son of Henry and Helen (Voss) Meester. Hank attended Sibley public schools and graduated from Sibley High School in 1955.
On December 2, 1958, Hank was inducted into the Army where he served with Company B, 4th Quartermaster Battalion, 4th AD as a wheeled vehicle mechanic. He achieved the rank of SP-4(T) and completed Army Ordnance School in Europe before earning his honorable discharge on November 17, 1960.
On June 16, 1962, Hank was united in marriage to Rose Kellar at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Sibley, IA. The couple resided in Worthington, MN, until moving to Fairmont in 1966. This union was blessed with three children, Scott, Julie, and Amy. The family lived on an acreage for many years, raising many different animals. Hank and Rosie shared over fifty-three years together before Rose passed away on July 10, 2015.
Hank opened Meester Machine Works in 1966. He was a master at machine work and it was his passion. He could make or fix anything. Many in the community relied on his skills to keep their operations going. He sold the business in 2017 and continued to work there until his retirement in 2020. Hank enjoyed working with his hands. When he wasn't working at the shop, he could be found restoring classic cars, riding and fixing snowmobiles, hunting, fishing, or occasionally relaxing while watching various Minnesota sports teams. Most of all he loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He spent every Friday evening playing cards with his best friends.
Hank attended St. John Vianney Catholic Church where he was active with the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the Lee C. Prentice American Legion Post 36, Fairmont Rifle Club and Fairmont Trap Club.
Left to cherish his memory include his children, Scott (Kathie) Meester of Minnetrista, MN, Julie (Richard) Fritchman of Fairmont, MN, and Amy (John) Grotte of Fairmont, MN; grandchildren, Adam Meester (fiancé, Breanna Johnson), Ryan (Michalia) Fritchman, Cory Fritchman, Brandon Meester (Katie Seivert), Alyssa Goedeker, Megan Goedeker, Rachel Van Gorp, and Micah (Cara) Merak; great grandchildren, Aiden, Layla, and Noah Willner, Emersyn Ihrke, Cora and Holly Van Gorp, and Hadley Merak; siblings, Dennis (Jean) Meester, Robert (Karen) Meester, Mary Honkomp, and Linda (Tom) Wilson; several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relative and friends.
Along with his parents, Henry and Helen Meester, Hank was also preceded by his wife, Rose Meester; brothers, Harold (Helen) Meester, and Earl (Shirley) Meester; mother and father in-law, Madonna and Clarence Storla, brothers-in-law Jerry Kellar, Dennis Kellar, and James Kellar.
Memorials are preferred to the St. John Vianney Endowment Fund.
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