Chester William Hoernemann

Obituary

Chester William Hoernemann was born on June 2, 1939, in Bergen Township, MN. He was the son of William and Ottile (Gruenhagen) Hoernemann. He was baptized as an infant on June 18, 1939, by Rev. Nussmann at Friedens (County Line) Church – UCC in rural Norwood Young America, MN, and later was confirmed in his faith as a youth on July 12, 1953, at Bergen Evangelical Lutheran Church in rural Plato, MN. Chester graduated in 1957 from Lester Prairie High School in Lester Prairie, MN.

Chester entered the Army National Guard in Hutchinson, MN, on August 2, 1957, as a combat engineer. He continued to serve in the National Guard until his Active Guard Reserve (AGR) tour as the First Sergeant in Roseville, MN, from March 29, 1982 to August 31, 1983. Following his AGR tour he continued to serve in the Army National Guard as a Master Sergeant until January 1, 1985, when he transferred to the Army Reserves. Chester served as a Master Sergeant in the Army Reserves until his retirement on November 20, 1996. He was awarded the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal and Minnesota Good Conduct Medal.

On June 5, 1982, Chester was united in marriage to Dianne Lamay Pawelk at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in New Germany, MN. Chester and Dianne made their home in Lester Prairie. Their life was blessed with a combined family; Jeffrey, Todd, Sheri, Charlene, Bonnie and Debbie. Chester and Dianne shared over 37 years of marriage.

Chester owned and operated Chet’s Home Improvement for a number of years but decided to further his education. He completed his undergraduate degree and then attended Alfred Adler graduate school and received a Master of Arts degree. Chester became a Psychotherapist and opened Step by Step Behavioral Counseling in Glencoe, MN, specializing in anger management and domestic violence counseling. Chester was an active member of Prairie Community Church in Lester Prairie. As his ministry to the church, he proudly served on the church council, holding the position of past president, sang in the church choir and was always ready to grill hot dogs for the church’s ice cream social. Chester also served on the Lester Prairie School Board for 17-1/2 years and was the Commander and Sergeant of Arms for the Lester Prairie American Legion Post #463. In June of 2019, Chester with Dianne by his side, was the Grand Marshall of the Lester Prairie Days parade.

Chester enjoyed hunting and spending time out in the woods surrounded by nature. He loved dogs and always had to have one or two in the family. Chester was a jack of all trades that could fix, build or create anything. He was happiest working on projects in the garage and would often buy something new just to tear it apart so he could make it exactly how he wanted. Chester treasured the time spent with his family and friends.

Chester passed away on Saturday, July 20, 2019, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, MN, at the age of 80 years, 1 month and 18 days.

Blessed be his memory.

Chester is survived by his:
Wife, Dianne Hoernemann of Lester Prairie, MN;
Children, Jeffrey Hoernemann and his wife, Sherry, of Plato, MN,
Todd Hoernemann and his wife, Kay, of Glencoe, MN,
Sheri Kohler and her husband, Jake, of Mound, MN,
Bonnie Roy of Chanhassen, MN,
Debbie Bickmann of Howard Lake, MN;
Grandchildren, Jackson Kohler, Emma Kohler, Brandon Roy (Morgan), Alissa Roy, Amanda Noerenburg (Craig), Nick Habisch,
Christy Karels and her husband, Joel, Courtney Gueningsmann (Phillip);
Great Grandchildren, Tucker, Rylan, Josie, Cora, Charlee, Adalinn;
Sister, Lois Banke and her husband, Ted, of Ashland, OR;
Niece, Krista Banke;
Many other relatives and friends.

Chester is preceded in death by his Parents, William and Ottilie Hoernemann; Daughter, Charlene Anderson.