Mr. Harvey F. Wester passed away peacefully at his home in Fredonia on Friday, September 27, 2019. He was 91 years old. Harvey was born on May 25, 1928 in the Town of Belgium, son of Milton Wester and Mary Folz Wester. He grew up in the Holy Cross area and graduated from St. Mary's Catholic School in Port Washington. Soon after, he enlisted and proudly served in the United States Navy. Mr. Wester worked as a foreman at, and retired from, Tecumseh Products in Grafton.
In April of 1972, he married Kathryn "Kay" M. Laufer Zimdars. The couple resided in Fredonia and were very active members at Divine Savior Parish, handling funeral luncheons and mass preparations for almost 40 years. Harvey also served as an usher and helped with maintenance, especially painting. Mr. Wester was a member of American Legion Melvin Wester Belgium Memorial Post 412 in Belgium; the post was named after his brother, who was killed in action while serving in Korea. In his youth, Harvey played baseball and was good enough to try out for the Major Leagues.
Survivors include his wife Kay of Fredonia, his children Kurt (Carrie) Wester of Waubeka, Debby (Dennis) Grube of Fredonia, and Jill (Scott) Wester of West Bend, step-children Allen (Diane) Zimdars of Random Lake, and Gail (Jerry) Keller of Cedar Grove, 7 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers-and sisters-in-law: Gene (Glenda) Laufer of Princeton, Sandy (Tony) Blake of Los Angeles, CA, Bev (the late John) Winkler, Jim (the late Noreen and the late Sandy) Laufer, and Shirley (the late Tom) Laufer, all of West Bend, nieces, nephews, other family and friends. Harvey is preceded in death by his parents, brother Melvin, sister Mary Jane (the late Glen) Zwickey, sister- in-law Doris (the late Dan) Backes and granddaughter Abigayle Wester.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 4PM on Sunday, October 6, 2019 at Divine Savior Parish- Holy Cross Chapel, 5330 County B Belgium, followed by Military Honors. Fr. Guy Gurath, Fr. Jim Ernster, Fr. Dick Fleischmann and Fr. Howie Johnson will concelebrate the service. The family will receive visitors at the CHURCH on Sunday from 1:00 PM until 3:45. There will be a walk-through for American Legion Melvin Wester Belgium Memorial Post 412 at 3:30PM.
If desired, memorials are suggested to the National Flag Day Foundation, Divine Savior School, American Legion Melvin Wester Belgium Memorial Post 412, or a charity of the donor's choice.
Harvey's family wishes to extend their thanks to Fr. Guy, the Aurora Hospice staff, Dr. Richard Lusis and the staff of 3 West at Aurora Medical Center in Grafton for all of the extraordinary care.
The Eernisse Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements; online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com .