Joanne Koester

Joanne Clare Koester, age 58, died May 12, 2012, of a sudden illness.

Funeral services will be 10:30 am, Saturday, May 19, 2012 at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, 7000 Hinton Avenue S, Cottage Grove. A visitation will be held on Friday, 5:00-7:00 pm at Kok Funeral Home, 1201 Portland Avenue, St. Paul Park, MN and also for one hour prior to the service at church. Interment will be at 2:00 pm at Oakwood Cemetery in Red Wing following the service.

Joanne grew up in Red Wing, Minnesota. Education has been her life, receiving a Master's degree from Mankato State University and undergraduate work at Augsburg College and St. Cloud University. Joanne devoted her career as a special education teacher at South Washington County Schools (ISD833) positively influencing many students.

Joanne will be remembered as an avid reader, music lover, and a fun loving woman whose energy lit up the room.

Joanne is survived by her loving dog companion Heidi, dear friends including the Birthday Club, cousins, aunts, and uncles. She is preceded in death by her parents Harold "Ike" and Marian (Johnson) Koester.

Memorials are suggested to the Minnesota All-State Lutheran Choir, Red Wing CARE Clinic, or the donor's choice.