Obituary of Katherine Koeller

Katherine Clara “Katie” Koeller was born on March 18, 1922 in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado to Herbert and Alma Steinike. She was the second of six children. She left this earth to begin her new life in heaven on her 91st birthday, March 18, 2013. Katie attended school in Cheyenne Wells and graduated from high school there. She was baptized and confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church in Cheyenne Wells. Katie worked at the newspaper office in Cheyenne Wells for three years. She then enlisted in the Navy and served her country for 2 ½ years. While in the Navy, Katie was stationed at the Naval Base in Oakland, California as a Physical Therapy Technician. Her greatest thrill while in the Navy was marching down 5th Avenue in New York City, with other WAVES, on Navy Day. After being discharged from the Navy, Katie worked at Montgomery Ward in California until early 1948, before moving back to Cheyenne Wells. Katie met, fell in love with, and married William Koeller at Grace Lutheran Church in Cheyenne Wells on June 6, 1948. Her dream was to marry a Christian man and live on a farm; both of these dreams came true. She and Bill lived in a small trailer house in Cheyenne Wells for three years and then bought a farm and ranch northeast of Vona. To this union, five children were born. Katie was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. She was active in the Ladies Aid and made many quilt tops for Lutheran World Relief. She taught children’s Sunday School, both at Immanuel and earlier, in California. She also led the adult Bible Study group at Immanuel. Katie was a hard worker. She raised a big garden each year and canned and froze hundreds of quarts of fruits and vegetables, as well as raising chickens every year. She also enjoyed crocheting and reading. She made hundreds of crocheted stocking caps for needy children. In December 2010, Katie moved to Grace Manor Care Center because of declining health. She looked forward to leaving the nursing home to join her family for holidays and to celebrate birthdays. She enjoyed these days and dearly loved being around her great grandsons. Katie will be sadly missed by one daughter Evelyn and husband Allan Weiss of Bethune, Colorado, two sons; Kenneth Koeller of Kermit, Texas and Karl and Katrina Koeller of Grand Island, Nebraska, grandchildren; Kendra and Robert Fickes, Lake Stevens, Washington, Alice and Kevin Magrino, Colorado Springs, Colorado, Bruce and Nichol Weiss, Burlington, Colorado, Bryan and Sarah Erker, Burlington, Colorado, Austin and Delainey Koeller, Grand Island, Nebraska, and five great grandsons; Caleb and Bryson Weiss, Prestin and Brayden Erker and Edward Fickes; and daughter-in-law Dianne Koeller and Allen Dean of Pueblo West, Colorado. She also leaves two brothers and one sister, several nieces and nephews and many, many friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill, two sons, Keith and Kelvin, her parents and two sisters. Mom, you will live forever in our hearts and we look forward to our reunion with you in heaven.