With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Barbara Joan "Barb" Koester of Ames, IA.
Below, the simplest tribute: the truth of a life as it was lived.
Barbara held deeply to the Lutheran faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew her best.
A life of belief is a life of quiet conversation with something larger.
Barbara Joan Rockhill Koester, age 90, former public school teacher and much loved family member, died April 25 in Ames, Iowa. A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 2, 2026 1:00pm at Bethesda Lutheran Church 1517 Northwestern Avenue, Ames, IA. Following the service there will be a time of fellowship with family and friends. Livestream of Barbara's service can be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/event/998800/b1cc9c0a1a Barbara was born in Marshalltown, IA on August 27, 1935 to Norval and Ida Rockhill, she graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1953, Luther College in 1957, and taught 3rd grade in Cedar Rapids for 4 years where she met her future husband and life partner, James Koester. They married in 1961 and moved to Ames, IA where they made their home for the next 65 years and raised two children, David Alan Koester and Amy Lynn (Koester) Nervig. Barb taught Kindergarten and First grade for 28 years in the Ames public school system (at Beardshear, Crawford and Northwood Elementary Schools) and gently launched several generations of children on their educational journeys, retiring in 1997. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Norval and Ida (Mikkelson) Rockhill, and siblings, Mildred (Leon) Gardner, Gilbert (Barbara) Rockhill, and Richard (Rosemary) Rockhill. She is survived by her husband Jim, son, David, and daughter in law, Ruth Koester, and daughter, Amy Nervig, and son in law, Mike, along with two grandchildren, Jenna Koester Wolf (Tom) and Emily Koester (Nathan Thompson) and a great-grandson, George Wolf. Barb was much beloved by her children and grandchildren as well as many of her nieces and nephews, their children, and extended family. She and Jim were members at Bethesda Lutheran Church, she was also active in the local P.E.O. chapter, and friends with many in the Ames community. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her warm and thoughtful ways, her special letters and poetry. In lieu of flowers, if you feel so moved, please donate to one of Barb's chosen charities: The ALS Association, The Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, or Bethesda Lutheran Church.
Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care is honored to serve the family of Barbara Joan Koester.
