Madelyn M. Koester (85) of Effingham

Madelyn M. Koester, 85, passed away peacefully at her home in Effingham on Tuesday, May 30, 2017.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 3 at Sacred Heart Church in Effingham with burial in St. Anthony Cemetery. A parish wake will be held at 4:30 p.m. with visitation to follow until 7:00 p.m. Friday evening at Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham. Memorial donations may be made to Sacred Heart School.

Online condolences may be left by clicking here.

Madelyn graduated from Effingham High School in 1950. On May 5, 1951, she married Richard W. Koester of Green Creek. Their marriage lasted 59 wonderful years, until Richard’s death on April 22, 2011. Shortly after their wedding, the couple moved to Santa Barbara, California for Richard’s military training. Following the Korean War, Richard and Madelyn were reunited in Effingham, and together built a home in which they raised their seven children. Madelyn was a devoted homemaker. Her family was her passion and delight, and she faithfully tended her home and cared for her children through cooking, baking, sewing, crafting, and gardening, both in town and on their farm northwest of Effingham. She loved to read, pray, chat with her family, play cards/games, and travel. Madelyn had unwavering faith in God, and was a devout member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Surviving Madelyn are her seven children, Cindy (Mark) Curtis of Freeport, Rick (Carol) Koester of Teutopolis, Stacy (Bob) Mette of Effingham, Angie (Bart) Funneman of Moweaqua, Randy Koester of Brownsburg, IN, Rohn Koester of Urbana and Rob (Marilyn) Koester of The Woodlands, Texas. Also surviving Madelyn are her 16 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren; brother, Donald (Ruth) Gillespie of Effingham; sister, Barbara White of Effingham; brother-in-law, Kenny (Evie) Koester of Effingham and numerous nieces and nephews.

Madelyn was preceded in death by her parents; husband; granddaughter, Elizabeth Mette and sister, Janice Harris.