Obituary of Floyd K. Jester

Floyd K. Jester of Wales, WI. passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 16, 2013, age 82 years. He was born on May 19, 1931 in Wausau, WI, the son of Carroll and Lora Jester. Floyd was a guitarist, singer, teacher and co-founder of the Waukesha Music Center from 1946-1994. He began giving lessons at age 15 out of his parents' house on Maria St. in Waukesha. His first band, The Rollettes, was the first rock n' roll band in Waukesha County. The band is now on a CD called "Strictly Instrumentals" released on a record label out of Germany featuring The Rollettes' recordings from 1958. Floyd decided to forgo a band career to continue his music lesson business. In his later years Floyd directed the Sound Off Band and finally the Sound Off Trio which featured himself and Carl and Joyce Budde. The CD's produced in these later years featured Sound Off members and family members. Larry Ripani, former student, interviewed Floyd in 2009 and asked him about his teaching methods. "The kids wanted a way to be original and have fun and I showed them how to have fun with music...improvisation is the best thing you can do. I always start with a book because parents want to see a book and they wrote the checks…but…we quickly moved on…and the performance comes from their heart. "Theory doesn't entertain that well…I wanted them to be really successful and truly enjoy the music and have fun!" Floyd lived what he taught—truly enjoying the music and having fun. At this moment he is probably organizing a band in heaven and waiting for all of us to join in. Floyd was the beloved husband of the late Geneva. Loving father of Cathy Sansone, Anna (Lesli Allison) Jester, Chuck Jester, Chris (Steve) Bissen, Mark (Jean) Jester, Paul (Christina) Jester, Steve (Laura) Jester, and Pete (Jen) Jester. Loving step-father of Laura McCawley. Proud grandpa of Cindy Bronikowski, John Allison, Quinn and Drew Bissen, Tessa Jester, Hailey Jester, Megan, Sophia, Elizabeth Jester, Nate and Zoe Jester. Dear brother of Jean Tillberry (Jim) and Sybil Zaller (Jim). Dear cousin and best friend from childhood of Robert Jester. Dearest friend of Carl and Joyce Budde. Further survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends—especially former students. The visitation for Floyd will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the 12:00 p.m. Celebration Service on October 26, 2013 at Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home, 237 N. Moreland Blvd, Waukesha, WI 53188-4313. A private burial will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Floyd can be made to the Waukesha County Museum for the Les Paul Exhibit, 101 W Main St, Waukesha, WI 53186. Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home, Cremation and Pre-Planning Services is serving the family. For further information, please call 262 542 6609, or for directions, an online obituary, or to leave a condolence, please visit www.WaukeshasFuneralHome.com.