Carl Koestner

Carl Joseph Koestner passed away on Saturday, August 17, 2019, after a 13-year battle with prostate cancer. He was born in Burlington, Iowa and later moved with his family to Phoenix, Arizona. After graduating from Brophy Preparatory Academy in 1960, he joined the Jesuit Order and attended Gonzaga University, where he earned a B.A. in Philosophy. He also received an M.A. in Educational Administration from Northern Arizona University.

In a long and varied career as a high school English teacher and school administrator, addiction treatment specialist, family counselor, and coordinator of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe’s Thresholds program for formerly incarcerated individuals, Carl touched countless lives. A lover of the natural world, he enjoyed bird-watching, mountain biking, kayaking, hiking, camping, travel, and other outdoor adventures. He deeply loved his family and was known for his delightful sense of humor, deep friendships, and amazing connection with young children, especially his six grandchildren. He was also a devoted parishioner of Prince of Peace Catholic Church where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus and ACTS leadership team.

He survived by his loving wife, Martha; his five children and their spouses, Matthew Koestner and Catalina Lopez-Ospina, Lisa and Jacob Mortell, Susanne Koestner and Shawn Kelley, Karen Koestner and Mike Frick, and Peter Koestner and Katie Clark; grandchildren, William and Owen Mortell, Marlow and Clyde Koestner, and Evan and Connor Kelley; and siblings, Ida Corman, Loretta Peitzmeier, Daniel Koestner and Ann Grubb.

The Rosary will be recited on Wednesday, September 4, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 12500 Carmel Ave NE. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, September 5, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. also at Prince of Peace Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the CNM Foundation’s Access to College Education Fund https://www.cnm.edu/depts/foundation/onlinegiving#access-to-college-education or the Brothers of the Good Shepherd, ACTS Retreat, Scholarships for The Fresh Start Program, P.O. Box 749,  Albuquerque, NM  87103.