A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, October 31, 2024 for 75-year-old Barbara J. Koester of Evansville, Illinois, who passed away Frday, Otober 25, 2024 at Randolph County Care Center, Sparta, Illinois.
She was born May 31, 1949 to Ernest and Evelyn (nee Miller) Sauerhage on May 31, 1949 in Belleville, Illinois. They preceded her in death.
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.
She is also survived by three children: Robin Lynn (James) Bixby Ellis Grove, IL, Nancy Kay (Robert) Rahlfs Chester, IL and Connie Jean (Jeff) Liefer of Evansville, IL six grandchildren:
Victor William Rahlfs (Macie Allgire), Charlie Robert Rahlfs, Sabrina Lynn Bixby, Alex James Bixby, Lacee Olinda Liefer, and Zac Edwin Liefer, and a great grandson due February 2025: Colt William Rahlfs; two sisters in law: Cheryl Sauerhage Teel and Lorene Hornbostel; a brother-in-law: Leonard Koester an adopted granddaughter: Kaliegh Jo Masterson
and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
She was also preceded in death by: parents, an infant brother:Paul Richard Sauerhage, four brothers – Andrien Sauerhage, Robert Sauerhage, Henry Sauerhage, and Paul Richard Sauerhage.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, October 31, 2024 for
75-year-old Barbara J. Koester of Evansville, Illinois, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Evansville, Illinois. Officiating: Rev. Randy Fischer
Interment: St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery, Evansville, Illinois
Visitation: Wednesday – 4 – 8 pm and Thursday – 10– 11 am
at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Evansville, Illinois
Memorials may be made to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Evansville, Illinois or to Christ Our Savior Lutheran High School, Evansville, Illinois.