Ruth Koester, 90

Ruth Koester, age 90 of Northfield, passed away peacefully from respiratory illness on Saturday, August 25, 2012 at the Three Links Care Center in Northfield.

Funeral services will be 10:00 am Saturday, September 8th at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Northfield with burial at Oaklawn Cemetery. Visitation will be on Saturday one hour prior to services.

Ruth Koester, the daughter of Ernest and Helen (Knutson) Nelsen was born on December 4, 1921 in Northfield. She had a sister, Gladys Ahmann, who preceded her in death. They were both born inside the same 12 month period and passed away inside the same 12 month period. The family lived on Second Street behind St. John’s Lutheran Church. Ruth graduated from Northfield High School. She married Malcolm Koester of rural Northfield on August 27, 1942. They lived in the Dennison area on a farm, raising crops and cattle until they moved to Northfield. While on the farm, she worked with her children in the Big Giants 4-H club on projects and activities. She loved being outside and gardening.

Probably their favorite commitment was to the University of Minnesota Agriculture Foreign Exchange Program. For seventeen years this program brought more than twenty-five students from Europe, New Zealand and South Africa to the Dennison farm during the summer months. In 1977, Mike and Ruth traveled to Europe to visit many of the students who had come to their farm.

When Ruth moved to Northfield, she worked at Jacobsen’s retail store for 18 years until they closed. There was always an item she could try to convince you to buy. Ruth loved finding a good deal! After Malcolm passed away, Ruth lived at 1000 Cannon Valley Drive. Ruth was a positive advocate for the Northfield Senior Center, and until her health limited her, she never missed a noon meal at the center. One of Ruth’s most fulfilling hobbies was in finding a “great deal” at the Clothes Closet. She enjoyed the Twins baseball games with her friends and watching the classic movies at the Northfield Retirement Center. She is a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. Ruth was a dedicated wife, loving mother, loyal friend and matriarch of the family. She will be missed.

Ruth is survived by her children; Sharon Wolseth of Aurora, Colorado, and Daniel (Karen) Koester of Dennison; 4 grandchildren; Kari (John) Hamilton of Aurora, Colorado, Jon Wolseth of Ames, Iowa, Audra (David) Koester Thomas of Fountain Hills, AZ and Barbara (Ryan) Koester-Amy of Faribault; 4 great-granddaughters; Isabel Bordewyk, Evelyn Hamilton, Lindsay Hamilton and Vivian Thomas; brother-in-law, Dan Ahmann and niece, Debra Preston, of Prior Lake and many other close relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Malcolm, her parents and sister.

Funeral arrangements by the Bierman Funeral Home of Northfield.