Martha E. Koester

Martha E. Koester, 78 year old resident of Swanville, MN passed away Friday, December 17, 2010 from complications due to bypass surgery at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, MN. Funeral service will be held at 11 A.M. on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at First Lutheran Church in Little Falls, MN with Rev. David Sperstad and Rev. Roland Jennings officiating. Burial will take place in St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery in Swanville, MN. Friends may call from 4-8 P.M. on Tuesday at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls and from 10-11 A.M. on Wednesday at First Lutheran Church. Funeral arrangements are with the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, MN. Martha was born on March 28, 1932 in Dickey, ND to the late Isadore & Katherine (Mons) Martin. She grew up and attended school in St. Mathias, MN. Martha worked as a waitress for many years in Brainerd, at Hal and Roses in Swanville and last at the Royal Café in Little Falls. In 1951 she met her husband Earl Koester at a dance in Sleepy Hollow. The coupled courted for sometime until they were united in marriage on August 21, 1952 in Brainerd, MN. Martha and Earl had a true farm wedding and had their wedding dance at the Falls Ballroom. Later in life Martha worked at the Swanville Public School as the Assistant Cook for 13 years. She also provided day care for the neighbor kids for 15 years. Martha was an energetic woman who enjoyed canning, gardening, baking, dancing and was a very tricky card player. She will be remembered and was very proud of her delicious apple pies and Christmas cookies. Martha was deeply loved and will be greatly missed. Left to cherish her memory, husband of 58 years, Earl Koester of Swanville, MN; daughters, Nona (Tom) of Swanville, MN, and Karen Koester of Maple Grove, MN; grandchildren, Sara (fiance Ryan Keillor) Kliber of Minneapolis, MN, Ryan Kliber of Swanville, MN; extended grandchildren, Annie, Herman, Cassie, and Tracy DeFrance; sisters, Catherine Betes of Brainerd, MN, Anne (Bob) Phillips of Minneapolis, MN; special friends, Sandy & Bob Holig of Swanville, MN along with many other close family and friends. Martha was preceded in death by, infant daughter, Linda; parents; brothers, Don, Morris and Cal Martin; sisters, Pauline Tautges, Georgina Loney, Mary Hennager, and Dorothy Christianson. Casketbearers: Ryan Kliber, Ryan Keillor, Tom DeFrance, Robert Holig, Kelly Peterson, Billy Tautges.

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Martha E. Koester

March 28, 1932 - December 17, 2010