Heidi always said she was so blessed to have lived two lives. As a young adult, she was able to travel while living in St Louis and Chicago, before settling back to Southern Illinois. She was able to “come home again” returning to Freeburg, where she married her high school sweetheart, Weshy Koesterer on Dec. 8, 1979. Weshy and Heidi had many wonderful years together, especially those times sitting around their kitchen table visiting with family and friends. They especially enjoyed when out-of-town guests were able to join them at the Koesterer table. This was a tradition Heidi was proud to carry on after Weshy’s passing. Oh, if the walls of that kitchen could talk!
Being from a small family, Heidi greatly enjoyed joining the large Koesterer clan. She so appreciated Weshy’s brothers and their families for how they welcomed her into their family, especially having Weshy’s many nieces and nephews stopping to say hello and visit.
Heidi retired after many years in various administrative roles in the trucking industry. She also was a member of Freeburg Women’s Club, St. Elizabeth Hospital Auxiliary, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and St. Joseph’s Women’s Club.
She was preceded in death by her husband Aloys G. “Weshy” Koesterer; her parents, Wyman and Opal, nee Beason, Schifferdecker; a brother, Lloyd Schifferdecker; a sister-in-law, Rita Schifferdecker; and a nephew, Richard Schifferdecker.
Although Heidi had many dear friends and family, she had a special place in her heart for her dearest of friends and surrogate daughter, Kim Towers and her husband Brad; daughters Paige Towers and Allyson (Dan) Schwab; her nephew Mike Koesterer and wife Mary Ann; niece Paulette Stevenson and husband Gary; and her last couple years were brightened by a rescue dog named Orson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic Grade School, Freeburg, IL. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit with the family from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, January 29, 2018, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Freeburg, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, January 29, 2018, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Freeburg, IL, with Fr. Mark Reyling officiating.
Burial will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Freeburg, IL.