Sylvester P. 'Vet' Josten

1917 - 2007

Sylvester Paul "Vet" Josten, 90, died Saturday (Nov. 24, 2007) at Hillcrest Nursing Home.

He was born in 1917, to Joseph Jr. and Ann (Penne) Josten on a farm in rural Elgin. He received his formal education at St. Boniface Catholic School in Elgin. He began his working years in California before moving to North Dakota. He later returned to the Elgin area where he was employed by Elgin Mills.

On Aug. 22, 1946, he was united in marriage to Bernice Heithoff at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Elgin. He farmed in the Elgin area with his father during World War II and later on his own. Along with farming, he wrote insurance for Boone and Antelope Mutual and Farmers Mutual Insurance Companies. He also worked for the ASCS office in various programs.

In September 2003, the couple moved to the Willow Ridge Retirement Center at McCook and in June 2007, they entered the Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook.

He was a lifelong member of St. Boniface Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Holy Name Society, St. Boniface Choir and Elgin Chamber of Commerce.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Alfred, Lawrence and infant, Paul Josten; and two sisters, Ava Clare Welding and Kathrine Pelster.

Survivors include his wife, Bernice of McCook; four children, Jean Breen and husband, Pat of Eustis, Judy Ferril and husband, Jac of Aurora, Colo., Jim Josten and wife, Corrine of Pleasant Hill, Mo., and Doris Friehe and husband, Ron of McCook; two brothers, Kenzy and Raymond Josten; 14 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were today at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Elgin, with the Revs. Curtis Dwyer and Dan Andrews officiating. Burial was in St. Boniface Cemetery.

Huffman-Levander Funeral Home of Elgin is in charge of arrangements.