Thelma Johanna (Menke) Koester

Thelma J. Koester, 97, Lincoln, Nebraska passed away on Sunday, April 24, 2022 at High Plains Alzheimer’s Special Care Center, Lincoln, Nebraska.  Rosary will be Monday, May 2, 2022, 10:00 a.m. and Mass will be Monday, May 2, 2022, 10:30 a.m. both at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Lawrence, Nebraska with Father Corey Harrison officiating.  Burial will be in St. Stephen Catholic Cemetery, Lawrence, Nebraska.  A memorial has been established to be designated at a later date.  There will be no viewing or visitation as her wishes were to be cremated.  Private condolences may be sent to the family at www.mertenbutlermortuary.com.  Merten-Butler Mortuary, Blue Hill, Nebraska is in charge of arrangements.

Thelma was born on June 30, 1924 to Herman and Agnes (Schroer) Menke on a farm nine miles south of Lawrence.  She attended School District 90 and St. Stephen School.  She married Frank Jarosik on August 21, 1945 at St. Stephen Catholic Church, Lawrence, Nebraska.  Frank passed away on November 25, 1974.  On February 20, 1976 she married Glen Koester at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Red Cloud, Nebraska.  He passed away on March 26, 2011.

Thelma was always very active in her church she also had worked at Penny’s for ten years and the shoe store for three years in Red Cloud.  She was well known for her ability to antique kitchen cupboards and had many requests for her work.  Thelma and Glen moved to Lawrence in 2005 to be closer to family.  She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Sacred Heart Altar Society, Lawrence, Nebraska.  She moved to Hastings in 2011 and to Lincoln in 2019.

Thelma is survived by her daughter, Julene Jochum, Lincoln, Nebraska; sister, Lola Yetman, Hastings, Nebraska; sisters-in-law, Maureen Menke, Lawrence, Nebraska and Sally Menke, Hastings, Nebraska; brother-in-law, John Hubl, Lawrence, Nebraska; step son-in-law, Richard Booker, Guide Rock, Nebraska; seven grandchildren, two step grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, two step great grandchildren.  Thelma is preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, son, Jim Jarosik, son-in-law, Garry Jochum, stepdaughter, Glenda Booker, one grandson, Luke Jarosik, one great granddaughter, Riley Hinrichs, three brothers, Vincent, Adrian and Ralph (in infancy) Menke, three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Alice (Ed Svoboda), Eileen Hubl , MarJean( in infancy), Bud Yetman, one nephew, Daniel Menke.    

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