Marvin "Al" Priester

Funeral Services for Marvin "Al" Priester will be conducted from the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Buck Linton-Hendrick and Chaplain DeWane Dow officiating. Interment will be held at Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege with military honors provided by the American Legion Post #66.

Marvin Alvin Priester, 76 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Saturday, August 30, 2008 at the Christian Homes Care Community at Holdrege. Al was born on November 21, 1931 in Grove Springs, Missouri, the third of five children of Omer and Dessie (Martin) Priester. He was raised in Hartville, MO, where he graduated from Hartville High School in 1950. After graduation, he was inducted into the United States Army in 1952, where he faithfully served his country as a Corporal in the Signal Corps during the Korean Conflict until being honorably discharged in 1954.

On May 31, 1959, he was united in marriage to Karen Van Pelt of Paxton, Nebraska and to this union two sons: Mark and Cory, were born. The couple made their home in Holdrege, where Al was employed by Holdrege Electric before joining the staff of Artistic Woven Labels, where he worked as a supervisor for 27 years. Al then worked for Methodist Memorial Homes in Holdrege for several years until his retirement in 1995.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege, where he served as a trustee for several years. He was also a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. Al was an avid lover of nature and the great outdoors, where he especially enjoyed hunting and fishing. In his younger years he enjoyed bowling and trap shooting. He also enjoyed his many woodworking projects, collecting and repairing pocket watches, gardening and tending to his yard and flowers. Al's greatest love of all was his family. His grandchildren brought a special joy to his life with all their love and excitement. He enjoyed every moment he spent with them.

He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife, Karen of Holdrege; two sons: Mark Priester and his wife, Deb of Lincoln, NE and Cory Priester and his wife, Sharyl of Grand Island, NE; five grandchildren: Geoffrey, Skyler and Micheal of Lincoln and Anthony and Alyssa Rae of Grand Island; mother-in-law, Agnes Van Pelt of Sutherland, NE; two brothers: Austin Priester of Beaver City, NE and Olin Priester of Sandy, UT; one sister, Evelyn Hayward of Estacada, OR; brother-in-law, John Van Pelt and his wife, Barb of Paxton; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Eldon.

Al will lie in state at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege on Tuesday, September 2, 2008 from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in his memory and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of arrangements.