Mary Ann Koesters
April 12, 1935 — June 24, 2024
Mary Ann Cornelia (Gubbels) Koesters was born to Peter and Clara (Bock) Gubbels on April 12, 1935 on a farm near Westphalia, Iowa. She was the second youngest child of ten children. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia, Iowa. She attended school at St. Boniface in Westphalia and was a member of the St. Boniface Catholic High School graduating class of 1953. She was an academically strong student, achieving excellent grades, was an active 4H member, and participated in many school activities growing up, including basketball.
Mary Ann found the love of her life when she met Francis Koesters at a dance at the Westphalia school hall. They were united in marriage on October 2, 1956 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia, Iowa. To this union, eight children were born, James, Cindy, Mary, Ann, Diane, Allan, Francis, and one infant son. Mary Ann worked hard as a homemaker, helped out in the operation of the farm, and was a very proud wife, mother and grandmother.
In later years loved attending school events for her grandchildren, always looking for the best vantage point for pictures. All of her life she was an outstanding supporter of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always inquiring about and following their schooling, events, and activities with thoughtful interest.
Mary Ann will forever be cherished for her unwavering devotion to family, her genuine interest in her family's lives, and the joy she found in family gatherings. She planted a sizable garden for many years and canned much produce for her family. Wherever family gathered she brought much joy to people with her delicious cooking and baking. Fresh cut watermelon, pecan pie and panis were among her favorites.
She enjoyed many different pastimes including watching birds, especially cardinals and gold finches, and listening to their songs. Mary Ann enjoyed playing BINGO and would often take her grandchildren with her. Mary Ann was a meticulous record keeper, maintaining a daily diary for many years, creating amazing scrapbooks for her grandchildren, and documenting family genealogy. Some of her favorite shows to watch were Big Joe Polka Show, Daniel O'Donnell, Lawrence Welk, and an occasional Cardinals game.
Mary Ann passed away peacefully on Monday, June 24, 2024 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa attaining the age of 89 years, 2 months, and 12 days. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her children, Mary Koesters, Ann Koesters, Diane Koesters, Francis Koesters and her infant son; granddaughter Melanie Scheuring; siblings, Peter Gubbels, Alvin Gubbels, Sylvia Goeser, Cyril Gubbels, Sabrina Conrad, Virginia Lickteig, Ambrose Gubbels, and Rev. Richard Gubbels.
She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Francis Koesters of Earling, IA; children, James Koesters of Earling, IA, Cindy (Jim) Scheuring of Defiance, IA, Allan Koesters of Earling, IA; 3 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren; sister, Helen Wubbenhorst of Harlan, IA; other relatives and many friends.
Mary Ann found the love of her life when she met Francis Koesters at a dance at the Westphalia school hall. They were united in marriage on October 2, 1956 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia, Iowa. To this union, eight children were born, James, Cindy, Mary, Ann, Diane, Allan, Francis, and one infant son. Mary Ann worked hard as a homemaker, helped out in the operation of the farm, and was a very proud wife, mother and grandmother.
In later years loved attending school events for her grandchildren, always looking for the best vantage point for pictures. All of her life she was an outstanding supporter of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always inquiring about and following their schooling, events, and activities with thoughtful interest.
Mary Ann will forever be cherished for her unwavering devotion to family, her genuine interest in her family's lives, and the joy she found in family gatherings. She planted a sizable garden for many years and canned much produce for her family. Wherever family gathered she brought much joy to people with her delicious cooking and baking. Fresh cut watermelon, pecan pie and panis were among her favorites.
She enjoyed many different pastimes including watching birds, especially cardinals and gold finches, and listening to their songs. Mary Ann enjoyed playing BINGO and would often take her grandchildren with her. Mary Ann was a meticulous record keeper, maintaining a daily diary for many years, creating amazing scrapbooks for her grandchildren, and documenting family genealogy. Some of her favorite shows to watch were Big Joe Polka Show, Daniel O'Donnell, Lawrence Welk, and an occasional Cardinals game.
Mary Ann passed away peacefully on Monday, June 24, 2024 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa attaining the age of 89 years, 2 months, and 12 days. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her children, Mary Koesters, Ann Koesters, Diane Koesters, Francis Koesters and her infant son; granddaughter Melanie Scheuring; siblings, Peter Gubbels, Alvin Gubbels, Sylvia Goeser, Cyril Gubbels, Sabrina Conrad, Virginia Lickteig, Ambrose Gubbels, and Rev. Richard Gubbels.
She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Francis Koesters of Earling, IA; children, James Koesters of Earling, IA, Cindy (Jim) Scheuring of Defiance, IA, Allan Koesters of Earling, IA; 3 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren; sister, Helen Wubbenhorst of Harlan, IA; other relatives and many friends.
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