Lela M. Koester

Lela M. Koester, nee Dinges, 77, of Lebanon, IL formerly of Mascoutah, born Oct. 8, 1937 in Lenzburg, IL, died Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville, IL.

Lela was a retired nurse’s aide from MarKa Nursing Home in Mascoutah and after retirement she provided in-home adult care.  She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Mascoutah, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George P. and Lottie, nee Frick, Dinges; her husband, Ervin W. Koester whom she married in Red Bud, IL on Apr. 13, 1958 and who died Feb. 21, 1981; a grandson, James Michael Koester; a brother, Kenneth Dinges; and three sisters, Bernice Berger, Lillian Laufer, and Eileen Haab.

Surviving her are two children, Bruce (Pamela) Koester of Lebanon, IL, and Darla (Joseph) Lancey of Troy, IL; five grandchildren, Kelsey, Kendyll and Kara Koester, Patrick and Rachael Lancey; a sister, Georgia Barber of Chester, IL; a brother-in-law, Guenter Haab of Arizona; sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of all other gifts, memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church; or Shriners Hospitals for Children; or St. Louis Children’s Hospital; or Hospice of Southern Illinois, Inc.

Visitation :  visitation will be from 4 to 8 PM Friday, Jan. 23, 2015 and 8 to 10 AM Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015 at the Moll Funeral Home in Mascoutah, IL.

Funeral :  funeral services will be held 10 AM Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015 at the Moll Funeral Home with Rev. Tim Prince officiating.  Burial will be in St. Peter United Church of Christ Cemetery, Lenzburg, IL.