Donna Sue (Abell) Koester

Donna S. Koester, 82, of Ridgway, Illinois, passed away after an extended illness on Tuesday, December 17, 2019, 11:05 a.m. at the Villas of Holly Brook in Harrisburg.  Donna was born in Ridgway on July 7, 1937 to the late James J. And Leona F. (Naas) Abell.  She married the love of her life, Ralph Anthony Koester on August 21, 1956.   Ralph preceded her in death on December 28, 2002.  Donna was loved by her friends, family and church family.  She was an active member of the St. Kateri Catholic Church and Alter Society.  Also, she was well known as a wonderful seamstress and a loving babysitter for her grandchildren.  Ralph and Donna were avid gardeners.  Donna retired in 1998 after twenty-four years with the Gallatin County Cooperative Extension.  She also volunteered for the Ferrell Hospital Auxiliary after the passing of her husband.  Donna is survived by her daughter, Lisa and James Anderson of Raleigh; her son, Pat and Keri Koester of Ridgway; one sister, Janet and Pat O’Leary of Fallbrook, California; two brothers, Raymond and Marge Abell of Taylor, Alabama, David and Linda Abell of Pana; seven grandchildren, Adam and Rachel Anderson of Eldorado, Larren and Jim Maloney of Newburgh, Indiana, Austin Koester and Brittany Patton of Shawneetown, Mason and Ashley Koester of Harrisburg, Jared Jackson and Jordan Darnell of Harrisburg, Karlie Jackson of Harrisburg, Molly Koester of Rock Hill, South Carolina; five great grandchildren, Cale Anderson, Abell Maloney, Isabella Koester, Genesis Koester, and Journee Jackson.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her son, Paul Koester; four sisters, Mary Ellen Neumann, Joann Hays, Doris Pickering, Rita Armstrong; two brothers, William J. and James Michael Abell.  Visitation for Donna will be on Friday, December 20th from 5 to 8 p.m. with prayer service at 7 p.m. at the Vickery Funeral Chapel in Ridgway.  Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, December 21st at 11 a.m. at St. Kateri Catholic Church in Ridgway.  Father Steven Beatty, Msgr. Joseph Lawler, Father Christian Iwuagwu will be officiating the service.  Burial will be at the St. Joseph Cemetery near Ridgway.  Donations in Donna’s memory can be made to St. Kateri Building Fund or Altar Society.