SCALES MOUND, Ill. - Helen Koester, 87, of Scales Mound, Illinois, died at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7, 2009 at the Galena-Stauss Senior Care Community.

Mrs. Koester was born on May 15, 1921, the daughter of John and Ellen (Belonger) Coulthard in White Oak Springs Township, Lafayette County. Helen loved playing a good game of cards. She married Oliver J. "Ollie" Koester on January 25, 1940 in Dubuque, Iowa. He preceded her in death on September 16, 1997.

Surviving are three daughters, Janice (Gary) Steinhoff, Cuba City, Wisconsin, Eunice (John) Vondra, Warren, Illinois and Connie (Jerry) Roberts, Scales Mound, Illinois; one son, Dennis (Mary) Koester of Browntown, Wisconsin; a daughter-in-law, Marian Koester, Elizabeth, Illinois; 12 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, 6 step-grandchildren and 8 step-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, James "Abe" Koester on January 8, 2005; a granddaughter, Natalie Vondra on April 28, 1995 and a grandson Timothy J. Koester on July 20, 2003; and by two sisters.

Services are 11 a.m. Thursday at the First Presbyterian Church in Scales Mound with Rev. Janice Diefenthaler officiating. Burial is in the Scales Mound Township Cemetery. Visitation is 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the Miller & Steinke Funeral Home in Scales Mound and after 10 a.m. on Thursday at the church.