Barbara J. Koester

BARBARA J. KOESTER, 75, of Evansville, Illinois, passed away Friday, October 25, 2024 at Randolph County Care Center, Sparta, Illinois.

She was born to the late Ernest and Evelyn (nee Miller) Sauerhage on May 31, 1949 in Belleville, Illinois.

Barb married Floyd Koester on May 29, 1971 at St. John Lutheran Church in Sparta, Illinois; he survives.

She had worked as a Certified Nursing Assisant for Sparta Hospital. Barb then drove a bus for St. Peter’s Lutheran School in Evansville. After the school closed, she went back to work as a Certified Nursing Assistant at MariaCare Nursing Home in Red Bud, Illinois. Barb was also a homemaker and helped out on the family farm.

Barb was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Evansville, Illinois. She enjoyed spending her time embroidering and also cooking for her family. Barb loved spending time with her grandchildren and attending all of their sporting events.

Survivors:

Husband:

Floyd Koester Evansville, IL

3 Children:

Robin Lynn (James) Bixby Ellis Grove, IL

Nancy Kay (Robert) Rahlfs Chester, IL

Connie Jean (Jeff) Liefer Evansville, IL

6 Grandchildren:

Victor William Rahlfs (Macie Allgire), Charlie Robert Rahlfs, Sabrina Lynn Bixby, Alex James Bixby, Lacee Olinda Liefer, and Zac Edwin Liefer

1 Great Grandson due February 2025:

Colt William Rahlfs

2 Sisters-in-law:

Cheryl Sauerhage Teel and Lorene Hornbostel

1 Brother-in-law:

Leonard Koester

Adopted Granddaughter:

Kaliegh Jo Masterson

Many Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, and Friends

Preceded in Death by: Parents, 1 Infant Brother – Paul Richard Sauerhage, 4 Brothers – Andrien Sauerhage, Robert Sauerhage, Henry Sauerhage, and Paul Richard Sauerhage

Funeral Service:

11:00 am, Thursday, October 31, 2024

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Evansville, Illinois

Officiating:

Rev. Randy Fischer

Interment:

St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery

Evansville, Illinois

Visitation:

Wednesday – 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Thursday – 10:00 am – 11:00 am

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Evansville, Illinois

Memorials:

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Evansville, Illinois

Christ Our Savior Lutheran High School, Evansville, Illinois