Funeral services for Ione Biesterfeld, 91, of Albert Lea will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home. The Rev. Don Malinsky will officiate. Interment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Wells. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Ione died Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019, at Mayo Clinic Hospital-St. Mary’s campus.

Ione Biesterfeld was born Feb. 21, 1927, on a farm near Hartland, the daughter of Gustav and Gertrude Wegner. In 1945 she graduated as valedictorian from Freeborn High School, where she enjoyed band, drama, cheerleading, yearbook, history and business classes.

On Dec. 4, 1945, Ione married Lester Biesterfeld. They farmed and raised their four children near Wells. Family life on the farm was a good life for Lester and Ione. Throughout the years they faithfully led their children to see that worshiping God was vital to a meaningful life. Belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior was central in the Biesterfeld family. Her family praises God that Ione was a faithful Christian woman and a powerful prayer warrior.

Ione worked as a secretary at Wells Concrete Products Co. for 29 years. Ione was a voracious reader and spent countless hours studying the word of God. After retiring from farming in 1989 she and Lester moved to Albert Lea. Lester and Ione enjoyed traveling to Christian events around the country and serving in missionary work globally.

God blessed Lester and Ione with travels to Europe, Belize and Hawaii and wintering in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

Ione is survived by four children, Rebecca (Paul) Strand of Merrill, Wisconsin, Kristine (Dean) Skalicky of Silver Bay, Leslie (Patty) Biesterfeld of Mankato and Kurt Biesterfeld of Albert Lea. She is also survived by grandchildren Kimberly (Jeremy) Akey, Connor and Natalie of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, Kari Strand of St. Paul, Karen (John) Sidorowicz, Hunter and Madden, all of Superior, Wisconsin, Brittney (Josh), Matthew, Naomi, Abigail and Micah Wisted, all of Poplar, Wisconsin, Audra (Matt) Carson, Jake and Lauren, all of Savage, Ana Biesterfeld, Judson of Savage, Troy (Laura) Biesterfeld, Lucy of Rochester  and Trisha (Robert) Iverson of Clarks Grove.

Ione was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lester; and her four brothers, Lowell “Dutch,” William “Wick,” Garmen “Gus” and Robert.