Chester William Nolte, 92, of Blackburn, MO, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at The Living Center in Marshall.

Chester was born on June 19, 1931, in Mt. Leonard to William Frederick Nolte and Florence Hoeflicker Nolte.  He was baptized on July 26, 1931, at the house in Mt. Leonard and confirmed into the Christian faith on April 14, 1946, at St. Paul’s Evangelical and Reformed Church in Blackburn.

Chester attended Halley School, a one-room schoolhouse southeast of Blackburn, then Alma and Blackburn public schools.  He married Marjorie Dieckman on July 4, 1950, and they began their life together on a farm south of Blackburn.

Chester and Marjorie attended United Church of Christ in Blackburn where he was an active member and served on many boards.  For nearly 75 years, Chester worked hard as a farmer, caring for the soil and adopting the many new technologies and changes to the operation over those seven-and-a-half decades.  He raised beef cattle and milk cows, hogs and chickens.  He also had a custom lime hauling business.  Chester was very passionate about the condition of his farms, including the ones he rented, always striving to reduce soil erosion, improve fertility, improve water management and improve the lay of the land.  He served as the commissioner of the Blackburn Road District and was very passionate about this responsibility.

Chester loved and cared for his family.  He and Marjorie started square dancing later in life and met many lifelong friends and enjoyed many good times.  He always had an excuse to entertain guests on the farm.  The farm was a gathering place for family, friends and neighbors with plenty to eat and drink.

Chester was preceded in death by his parents, William F. and Florence Nolte; wife, Marjorie; sister, Gladys Martens; brother, Kenneth Nolte; and sons, Larry William Nolte and Dennis Gene Nolte.

He is survived by daughters, Diana Huff (Ralph) of Lee’s Summit and Connie Rolf (Derron) of Alma; sister-in-law, Judy Dieckman; grandchildren: Monica Kirchhoff (Jeff), Hanna Nolte, Kristina Gilpin (Shannon), Hunter Rolf (Kendra), Hadley Rolf, David Huff (Madi), Jonathan Huff (Sarah) and Noah Huff; great-grandchildren: Kiahla Buchanan (Levi), Emma Kirchhoff, Amelia Kirchhoff, Matthias Kirchhoff, Bannon Nolte, Gavin Nolte, Brian Gilpin, Bella Gilpin, Eliza Huff, Denali Huff and Vance Rolf; and great-great-grandchildren: Josiah Buchanan, Ezra Buchanan, Malachi Buchanan and Waylon Nolte.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 23, 2024, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Blackburn with Rev. Tony Dieckmann officiating.  Burial will follow in Blackburn Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Thursday at the church.  Memorials are suggested to Blackburn Cemetery Fund in care of Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home and an online guestbook is available at www.campbell-lewis.com.