Ilene A. Kuester, 91, of Griswold, died Monday afternoon December 28, 2009, at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital in Red Oak.

Ilene A Wasmer was born at rural Griswold on March 10, 1918, the daughter of Cass Victor and Maude Mae (Walkinshaw) Wasmer. She graduated from Griswold High School in the class of 1935. She then attended normal training, after which she taught in rural schools for several years. She married Dale Maurice Kuester on August 21, 1940 in Omaha. They farmed one mile east of Lyman until their retirement in 1972 when they built their home and moved to Griswold.

Ilene was a member of the Griswold United Methodist Church. She was an avid golfer and bridge player and crocheted many baby blankets for the homeless. She also was a huge animal lover, having many pet dogs and cats through the years. Her last pet, giving her much love and enjoyment, was her cat Weasel.

Survivors include her nieces Sherry (Max) England of Griswold, Michelle (Dave) Teal of Omaha, Kathy (David) McCullar of Longmont, CO and Lori (Steve) Mitchell of Estes Park, CO, her sister-in-law Shirley Coon of Loveland, her great nephews Mike England of Griswold and Jeff Mitchell of Estes Park and her great niece Sandy (Matt) Shehan of Griswold, as well as her many friends and other relatives.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband Dale on December 3, 2003 and her sister Jean LaMaster and her brothers-in-law Arling LaMaster and Merrill Coon.

Memorial services for Ilene will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2010 at 1:30 PM at the Griswold United Methodist Church, Pastor Leila Blackburn officiating. Burial of ashes will be at a later date in the Noble Center Cemetery south of Lyman. The Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold is assisting the family with arrangements.