John J. Brester

John J. Brester, 90 of Howells, passed away on Friday, August 26, 2022 at St. Joseph’s Hillside Villa in West Point.

Memorials can be directed towards the Howells Community Catholic School

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at S.S. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Howells, with Fr. Stan Schmit officiating. Visitation is on Monday from 5 until 7 p.m. with a Knights of Columbus Rosary and Vigil Service held at 7, all at the church. Visitation will resume Tuesday from 9:30 until 10:30 at church. Burial with military honors will take place in the S.S. Peter and Paul Cemetery with lunch following at the American Legion Hall. Svoboda Funeral Home is handling arrangements for the family.

John was born on January 26, 1932 on the family farm outside of Howells to Louis and Mary (Krienert) Brester. He attended school through the 8th Grade at the Sacred Heart Academy at Olean. John enlisted in the United States Army and served from 1953 until 1955. On May 5, 1959 John married Dorothy Cakl at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Clarkson.

John was a farmer for his entire life, from cattle to row crop, and even gardening. He took pride in his work and enjoyed taking daily trips to check on his cattle and crops and visiting with neighbors to check on their crops. In 1991 he semi-retired from farming leaving it to his sons Mark and Dean to take the reins, but still being available to help when needed. John loved going for drives, sometimes days at a time, to local or far away cattle sales or just to see what was going on in the area. He enjoyed helping his son Dean can vegetables from the garden every year, and tuning into WNAX to catch a Twins game.

John is survived by his sons: Mike of Tennessee, Mark and Dean both of Howells, sister-in-law Delma Brester of Howells and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents and wife Dorothy in 1999, siblings George (Catherine) Brester, Joseph (Mary) Brester, Bernadine (Leo) Renner, Odelia (James) Faltys, Sister Martha Brester, OSF, Gilbert (Margaret) Brester, and Leander Brester.