Winnie Koester

Winnie "Ruth" Rice Koester, 81, widow of Walter W. Koester, passed away at the Brenham Rest Home on December 24, 2009. Ruth was born March 29, 1928 to Clyde and Vera Geneva Morehead Rice in Sands Springs, Oklahoma. She attended Tomball area schools. On July 25, 1948, she married Walter W. Koester at Bethlehem Lutheran Church William Penn by Rev. C.J. Appel. She was baptized and confirmed in Grace Lutheran Church of Brenham by Pastor Ludwig. Throughout her life, Ruth found great joy in her family. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who loved spending time with her family. Her husband, Walter was the love of her life for over 50 years, and she missed him each and every day for the last nine years. Mrs. Koester was a member of the VFW James F. Dillon Ladies Auxiliary. She loved spending time shopping and talking of old times with her sisters. Ruth enjoyed meeting the public while working at Perry Bros. as a sales person. Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Donald W. and wife Lessie "Ann" Koester of Brenham, granddaughter Hannah and husband Jack Stockton of Decatur, Texas; brothers and sisters-in-law, Chester Rice of Magnolia, Texas Jerry and Pattie Rice of Somerville, Texas, Cecil and Joy Rice of Killeen, Texas; sisters and brother-in-law, Shirley and Earl Mittelstedt of Lovelady, Texas, Bernice Bilski of Tomball, Texas, Delores Garret of Mason, Texas, Linda Montesi of Tomball, Texas, Carolyn Jerkins of Houston, Texas, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband - Walter W. Koester; father and mother, Clyde and Vera Geneva Morehead Rice; father and mother-in-law, Otto W and Minnie Boenker Koester; sister and brother-in-law, Earl, Sr. and Lillie Koester Danford; brothers, Pat Rice and Mike Rice; daughter-in-law, Darlene Koester. Funeral services are planned for, Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church Wiedeville, with Pastor Virgil Pecht officiating. Burial will take place in Immanuel Lutheran Church Wiedeville Cemetery. The family will receive family and friends Monday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Chapel. Pallbearers: Ron Mittelstedt, Glen Mittelstedt, Kenneth Danford, Bob Burk, Michael Danford, Larry Neumann, Bobby Felden, Jr. and Floyd Beal. Honorary Pallbears: Donnie Mittelstedt, and Earl Danford, Jr.