Mary Ann Koester, 74, of Ottoville, died at 12:05 p.m. Tuesday at Calvary Manor Nursing Home in Glandorf after a courageous fight with breast cancer.

She was born Nov. 4, 1932, in Kalida, to the late Albert and Mary (Buss) Kramer.

On Aug. 13, 1955, she married Victor Koester, who died July 29, 1984.

Survivors include sons Karl “Kork” (Tammy) Koester of Ottoville and Keith (April) Koester of Fort Jennings; daughters Judy Koester of Ottoville, Joyce (Dale) Schimmoeller of Findlay and Vickie (Jerry) Simpson of Arlington, Texas; brother Alfred (Wilma) Kramer of Fort Jennings; sisters Catherine Hammons of Delphos, Helen (Henry) Niese of Lima and Teresa (Charles) Murphy of Fort Wayne; and grandchildren Greg, Scott and Jessica Schimmoeller, Christopher Gessner, Trent Simpson, Zachary Friemoth and Shayla, Haylee, Abigail and Ethan Koester.

She was preceded in death by brother-in-law Bob Hammons.

Mrs. Koester was a retired housekeeper with Van Wert County Hospital. She held memberships with Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Ottoville, its Rosary Altar Society, the Ottoville VFW Auxiliary. She was a 1951 Kalida High School graduate who enjoyed her grandchildren, gardening, ceramics, seasonally decorating her home, was regarded as an excellent cook and was high-spirited and inspirational to those who knew her.

Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, the Rev. John Stites officiating.

Friends may call from 2-8 p.m. today at Love-Heitmeyer Funeral Home’s Jackson Township location, where a VFW Auxiliary service will begin at 3:30 and a scripture service will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Preferred memorials are to donor’s choice.