Fred A. Kuester, 79, of Rhinelander, WI passed away at Aspirus Hospital in Wausau WI on July 2nd, 2021, surrounded by family.    Fred is survived by his life partner Dorothea Clough; three daughters, Jane (Dale) Paffrath, Pelican Lake, Mary (Robert) French, and Lisa (Darby) Moren, of Rhinelander WI; nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews; three sisters, Kathryn (Ken) Heidewald, Rose Smythe, and Sylvia Heidewald; five brothers, Erich, Edmund (Joan), James, Henry, and Leonard. He is proceeded in death by his parents and four brothers, David, John, Daniel, and Robert.  Fred was born on July 29, 1941 to Erich and Hazel (Zahringer) Kuester, at his childhood home in Laona, WI. He was the 7th son, in a family of 13 children.  He married Linda Gilbert of Crandon, WI in 1962, moved to Kenosha, WI, where he was employed at American Motors while working on building his own business in northern WI.   In 1971 he moved his family to Elcho WI, to work full-time in the landscaping and logging business that he built up which employed up to a 12-person crew. Fred moved his family to Rhinelander, WI in 1976, and continued to log for many more years. In semi-retirement, he started a sewing business with his long-time companion, Dottie, selling and repairing sewing & embroidery machines, and sharpening scissors for local schools and the public.  Fred was a self-taught master mechanic, and loved and supported his family and friends throughout his life. He enjoyed being in the outdoors, wildlife, gambling, and having many pets through the years, but enjoyed dogs especially. Many times he saved abandoned or injured wildlife animals and nursed them back to health, or raised them until they could survive on their own.  The family thanks Aspirus Intensive Care Unit, Cardiac Associates, and John J. Buettgen Funeral Home for their help and support through this difficult time.  Private services will be held.