Erma Lorine Koester

Erma L. Koester, 93 of David City passed away July 9, 2025 at Butler County Health Care Center with her daughters at her side.

Visitation will be Sunday, July 13th at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rising City from 4-6pm. The funeral service is Monday, July 14th at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church at 10:30am with a visitation from 9:30-10:30am. Burial will be at Zion Lutheran Cemetery. Arrangements handled by Moravec Johnson Mortuary.

Erma Lorine (Struebing) Koester was born on May 17, 1932 to Albert and Anna (Ostermeier)Struebing in David City, NE. She was baptized on June 19, 1932, and confirmed on September 1, 1946 at Zion Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS) of rural Garrison, NE.

Erma grew up on the Struebing homestead and attended District 21 grade school, before entering David City Public High School and graduating in May 1950. After high school she worked in the kitchen at the David City Hospital.

Erma had lived on the Struebing Homestead up until the time of her father’s death in 1950. After his death, she and her mother moved to David City, NE. It was during this time they traveled across many states. On one of those trips to visit relatives in New Holland, IL she met Bernell (Bud) L. Koester.

Erma married Bernell Louis Koester on September 11, 1960 at Zion Ev. Lutheran Church, Garrison, NE. After their marriage they lived with Bernell’s parents, Anna and Harman Koester in New Holland, IL for two months. Then they returned to Nebraska and lived with Erma’s mother in David City, NE until July of 1961 when they moved back to the Struebing Homestead. God blessed their marriage with 3 daughters; Mary Ellen (1961), Cheryl Ann (1962) and Joyce Fay (1965).

Erma was an active member of Zion’s Ladies Aid, Adult Choir and also a Sunday School teacher and continued singing in choir at Faith Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Rising City, NE where she was currently a member.

For most of her life she was a homemaker who loved gardening, baking, sewing and enjoying the company of her family, friends and her beloved four-footed friends Tag, Bentley, Paris and Piper.

Erma is survived by her daughters, Cheryl and Joyce Koester of Columbus, NE. Nephews, Lowell Koester of Elgin, IL, Wayne(Betty) Koester of Spartanburg, NC, James(Linda) Harriss of Edwardsville, IL, Jerry(Connie) Harriss of Olney, IL and one niece, Janet(Dan) Robinson of Huntley IL., her cousins and their families.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bernell and their infant daughter Mary Ellen. Brothers-in-law and Sisters-in-law: Peter (Ruby) Koester, Hank(Eileen) Koester, Elmer(Esther) Koester, Pauline(Donald) Harriss, and niece Mary Lee Koester, all of Illinois and Heidi Koester of Spartanburg, NC.

Memorials may be given to Faith Ev. Lutheran Church, Rising City, NE; Nebraska Ev. Lutheran High School (NELHS), Waco, NE or donor’s choice.