Joleen Meester

Joleen, 76, passed away at Ava’s House, Sioux Falls, SD on January 22, 2024. She was born on May 22, 1947 in Sibley, Iowa, the daughter of John and Anna Joyce (Kruger) Kaiser. She grew up and attended school in George, Iowa. As a teenager, Joleen earned money by babysitting at a quarter an hour to buy herself records and pretty dresses. As a young woman, she worked at a creamery in Sibley, Iowa.

 She married to Frank “Dutch” Meester, Jr. They were married on May 17, 1971, in Luverne, Minnesota. They bought a house in Ellsworth where Joleen took care of many family, friends and neighbors’ children. She loved animals and had a very special place in her heart for cats. Joleen had just as much love for dogs and often told stories about her pets, both current and past. She loved Elvis. She could often be found blasting her record player, singing, and dancing around her kitchen.

Joleen was very artistic and enjoyed different types of projects over the years including oil painting, bead pictures, and restoring furniture. Gardening throughout most of her life, she enjoyed tending to many types of flowers. She especially loved her roses and irises she had planted. Joleen loved to visit and tell stories with her friends and neighbors, often going across the street to have coffee and visit or play games with different ones. 

 Joleen is survived by her daughter, Melissa Jasper (Jason Irving), Ft. Dodge, IA; three grandchildren, Britny (Justin) Steenhoven, Ellsworth, MN; Brandon Norton, Ellsworth, MN; and Alexis (Verell) Russell, Des Moines, IA; three great grandchildren, Joanna, Syrus, and Francine; a sister, Joan Steenblock, Marshalltown, IA; best friend, Delores Allred; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Frank in 1996; two brothers, Gene Kaiser and Byron Kaiser, Sr.; and a niece, Anna Kaiser. She will be forever missed by many.