Bryan Kuester

Bryan James Kuester, 67, of Belmond, IA, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Belmond, IA, on Monday, June 15, 2026. A public visitation with viewing will be held Saturday, 20, 2026. at the Andrews Funeral Home, Belmond, IA, from 4-7 PM. Further arrangements will be released later. Andrews Funeral Homes, Belmond, IA.

Bryan James Kuester, the son of Irving William and Harriet “Heather” Lorraine (Austin) Kuester, was born April 30, 1959, in Robbinsdale, MN.  He grew up in the Robbinsdale area, where he attended Robbinsdale Community Schools and graduated from high school.

Following his public education, Bryan was employed in various positions throughout his working years, most of which were in the mechanical, tool and die, and maintenance sector. Though he didn’t continue his education through college or technical trade school in a formal way, Bryan was always focused on gaining more knowledge and honing his technical, mechanical, and manufacturing skills, and successfully attended and completed numerous classes in these three trades throughout the years.  Bryan had pursued and successfully completed a wide array of trainings and course in everything from Cummins Engines mechanics to construction equipment repair and maintenance, hydraulics, pneumatics, diagnostics, gauging, instrumentation, electrical, welding, and Metallurgy, were a few of many. Several of these trainings were very extensive and required hundreds of hours in the classroom and virtually through Iowa Central and the U.S Department of Labor. He had also completed more than 8,000 hours of OJT at Eaton Corporation in Belmond, IA, over his 10 years of employment.  He had also put his Class B CDL into various roles in many of his positions.  Over the last 20 years before retiring, Bryan held positions as a Field Technician with Herc-U-Lift out of Des Moines, IA, R & J Material handling, Fort Dodge, IA, Maintenance Tech. at North Iowa Woods, Belmond, IA, Auto Truck Group, Bartlett, ILL., route drive for Darling, Inc., Belmond, IA, as a Sander at CDI, Forest City, IA, and as a Maintenance Tech. at Prestage Foods, Eagle Grove, IA.  Bryan had many accolades from these employers over the years many of which referenced his pleasant and enthusiastic attitude, ability to persevere and always striving for improvement, and always putting out the best quality product and services that he could attain.

Bryan had lived in various places over his lifetime from his earlier years in Minnesota, to periods of time in Goodell, IA, and for this last many years he has resided in Belmond.  He truly was a “Simple man!” who enjoyed the simple things that crossed in his life chapters. He also understood that he wasn’t perfect by any means and faced struggles and tribulations along that way that he eventually defeated for the most part.  Though his marriages and relationships were not permanent he was blessed with a beautiful daughter Hana along the way and in more recent times was sharing with the few in his tight circle that he had hoped to renew their relationship.

Bryan was a man who believed in hard work and completing the tasks at hand.  He wasn’t a man with a lot of hobbies or past times, but in younger years had enjoyed collecting classic cars.  He was an avid Minnesota Vikings fan, enjoyed movies, was an excellent cook, enjoyed fishing and of course delving into conspiracy theories of the times.  Bryan was never shy and always called a “Spade a Spade!”.  He truly loved and cherished his dogs and if you saw Bryan out and about, his sidekick “Bruno” was usually riding shotgun in the passenger seat.  They were truly inseparable.  Over the last couple years Bryan looked after his mom, Heather Seipel who he had always cherished over the 67 years of his life.  When she could no longer reside in the retirement community in Belmond due to health and safety concerns, he brought her into his home and cared for her along with the assistance of his companion Shelley Chelesvig.  Eventually she required even more extensive long-term care, yet Bryan remained diligent in ensuring that she was able to maintain her medicine regimen and other needs. He truly poured himself into her care over the last two or three years before her passing in December 2025. Though her care at the end of her life took a lot out of Bryan he shared that would do it all again and that he missed her very much.  Her loss however, also reignited his wish to do some traveling that he had always wanted to do in retirement, but never came to fruition. He was looking forward and had a yearning to spend some on the road with one of his biggest yearnings being his fondness for Montana.

Though he had some health concerns his sudden passing has left a void in the lives of his family and friends.  His life will be remembered and reflected upon by his daughter Hana Rolland and her children Quinn (8) and Valentine (4), Mason City, IA; his faithful four-legged side kick Bruno; companion Shelley Chelesvig, Belmond, IA, and her children and their families Chandler (Brianna) Chelesvig and their kids Levi (9) and Kaden (3) all of Belmond, IA; and Shelley’s son Jameson (Leah Carlson) Chelesvig, Meservey, IA; stepmother Jo Ann Kuester, Arkansas; Bryan’s siblings and step siblings: Scott (Tammy) Kuester, Lori “Lexie” Severson, Mark (Kim) Kuester, Craig McMurray, Lori Kuester , Cindy McMurray, and Joyce Schwichtenberg; nieces and nephews and step nieces and nephews: Cory Kuester, Ryan Kuester, Ross Kuester, Emili Kuester, Jaydon Kuester, Jessica Thompson, Nate Thompson, Tatin and Amber Sorenson, Willy and Matia Kuester, Tanner Schwichtenberg, and Dawson Summers along with their families and companions and other extended family members and friends.

Bryan was preceded in death by his father Irving Kuester in 2010, mom Heather Seipel in December 2025, stepfather Galen Seipel.

Andrews Funeral Homes, Belmond, IA. http://www.andrewsfuneralhomeandfloral.com 641-444-4474.