Obituary of Eugene Jostes

Eugene (Gene) Bernard Jostes was called to the Lord on Monday, November 5, 2012 at Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital in Burlington, CO. Gene was born November 2, 1927 to John and Marguerite (Horrell) Jostes on a farm about 5 miles south east of Stratton, CO. He was the oldest of nine children. Gene started school at St. Charles Borromeo Academy in September 1934. The school had eight grades and only two classrooms. Gene completed the eighth grade at the academy. He started high school as a freshman at Stratton High in September 1942. He had only been in school a few weeks when his father was in a terrible accident in which he lost part of his hand. Gene had to stop school and work on the farm to help support the family. He worked for farmers in the area and an uncle in Denver. At the age of 19, Gene began working in the Hardware/Lumber Division of the Stratton Equity Co-op until 1963 except for two years when the Korean War broke out and he was drafted into the Army. He was the first one called to report to duty from Kit Carson County. Gene had a squad leader by the name of James Garner. Little did he know then, that James Garner would become a famous movie star. Upon getting discharged from the Army, Gene became engaged to Rosemary Lobmeyer of Vona, CO. They were married on October 21, 1952 at St. Charles Church in Stratton, CO. This union was blessed with 5 children, Jane (Roy) Ingram of Morrill, NE, Kent (Daneen) Jostes of Akron, CO, Kevin (Charlene) Jostes of Stratton, CO, Kurt Jostes and Dayla of Burlington, CO and Keith Jostes of Burlington, CO. Gene and Rosemary purchased the Gambles store in Stratton from Mike Lewis in 1963. After 45 years of ownership, they sold the store in 2008. Gene worked on Main Street in Stratton for 62 years. Gene loved Stratton and Kit Carson County. He served on many boards and worked to make it a better place to live. Gene was a founding Board of Director for Dynamic Dimensions Inc. (DDI) and served on the board for many, many years. He was a life-time member (67 years) of the St. Charles Borromeo Knights of Columbus Council #2099. He served on the Stratton School Board of Education for one term. He was a volunteer fireman and Fire Chief for a number of years. Gene was a 60 year member of the Stratton American Legion Post #138 and was on the Color Guard for years. Gene was a member of the St. Charles Borromeo Church Council. He helped start and was a founding board member of The Stratton Golf Club where he enjoyed playing golf. Family meant everything to Gene. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Marguerite, father and mother-in-law John and Mary Lobmeyer, sister and brother-in-law Dolores and Herman Erbert, and brothers-in-law Darrell Taylor, Don Pelle, and Kenneth Lobmeyer. He is survived by his loving wife Rosemary, of 60 years, his five children, 14 grandchildren: Christopher, Karl and Gabe Ingram, Alissa (Brandon)Bowers, Phillip, Danika, Maura, Tyleen, Madison, Johnna, Anna, Derek (Ashley) Jostes, Kezia (Jason) Brandon and Karlee Jostes and 6 great-grandchildren: Jessica, Kaylynn, and Jordayn Brandon, Dakota, Aaron, and Kendan Jostes. He is also survived by brothers and sisters Gerard (Louise) Conrad, Herbert (Carmen) Jostes, JoAnn (Bill) Day, LaVonne Taylor, Elaine (Russ) Hubbard, Rita (Bill) Proksch. He is also survived by brothers and sister-in-laws Bob and Betty Lobmeyer, Joan Pelle, Jody Lobmeyer, Gladys and Doug Chase, Larry and Dianne Lobmeyer and numerous nieces, nephews and relatives.