The Superior Express -

Thelma J. Koester, 97, Lincoln, Neb., died Sunday, April 24, 2022 at High Plains Alzheimer's Special Care Center, Lincoln. Rosary was at 10 a.m., Monday, May 2, and Mass followed at 10:30 a.m., both at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Lawrence, Neb., with Father Corey Harrison officiating. Burial was in St. Stephen Catholic Cemetery, Lawrence. A memorial has been established to be designated at a later date. Private condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.mertenbutler mortuary. com. Merten-Butler Mortuary, Blue Hill, Neb., was 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 Aug. 21, 1945, at St. Stephen Catholic Church. Frank died on Nov. 25, 1974. On Feb. 20, 1976, she married Glen Koester at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Red Cloud, Neb. He died on March 26, 2011.

Thelma was active in her church. She also had worked at Penny's for 10 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, Neb. She moved to Hastings in 2011 and to Lincoln in 2019.

Thelma is survived by her daughter, Julene Jochum, Lincoln, Neb .; sister, Lola Yetman, Hastings; sisters-in-law, Maureen Menke, Lawrence, Neb., and Sally Menke, Hastings; brother-in-law, John Hubl, Lawrence, Neb .; step son-in-law, Richard Booker, Guide Rock; seven grandchildren, two step grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and two step great-grandchildren. Thelma was 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; and one nephew, Daniel Menke.