He was baptized at the Firth Reformed Church and attended and graduated from Firth High School. He married Ardith TenHulzen on September 23, 1954 and together they had 4 children, Rod, LuAnn, Dwight, and Jerry. They lived on a farm by Adams for 1 year before moving to their farm by Firth. The first 5 years of their marriage he served in the Nebraska National Guard. He farmed with his 3 boys and raised cattle which he thoroughly enjoyed watching. He retired in 2011 but continued to stay interested in what the boys were doing on a daily basis. He spent time attending grandkids events and did some woodworking on the side.
He lived his life as a servant of the Lord and was an active member of the Firth Reformed Church teaching Sunday School, sponsoring the Youth Group for many years and serving on the Church Board. He was a member of the Gideons, and served on the Lakeview Rest Home board, Firth Coop Board, and Farm Bureau Board. He was a volunteer for the Firth Fire Department and served on the NE Cattleman’s Livestock Association. He loved spending time with his family, raising, and watching his cattle.
The Lord called him home on January 11, 2025 after a battle with health issues.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years Ardith, 4 children; Rod and Mary Jean (Helmink) TeKolste, LuAnn and Jerry Schmidt, Dwight and Yvonne (Monahan) TeKolste, and Jerry and Kristi (DeBoer) TeKolste, 13 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren; sister Carol (Loyal) Doeschot, brother Roger TeKolste, and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, great grand daughter Grace TeKolste.
Visitation with family will be Tuesday, January 14, 2025 from 5:00pm – 7:00pm at Metcalf Firth Chapel, 309 Nemaha St, Firth, NE 68358.
Private family burial will take place at the Holland Cemetery in Holland, NE.
Celebration of Life service will be Wednesday January 15, 2025 at 10:30am at Living Life Church, 603 Russell St, Firth, NE 68358.
Memorials may be directed to the Gideons and Living Life Church.