Kathleen Koeller

Kathleen M. Koeller, age 85, of Potosi, passed away on Monday, May 09, 2016, at Orchard Manor Nursing Home, Lancaster surrounded by her loving family. She was born on February 16, 1931, the daughter of Raymond and Dorothy (Schollmeyer) Nihles. On November 16, 1949, Kathleen was united in marriage to Gerald C. Koeller at St. Clement Catholic Church in Lancaster. Together, they operated the family farm just outside of Potosi for more than 50 years. Kathleen's passion in life was being a wife and mother, a true matriarch. She was a loving caregiver to her family, realizing their successes were her successes. No one ever left the house without hearing the phrase, ''come back again'' trailing them out the door as she always had a ''not-so-secret stash'' of ice cream treats waiting for them to return. In this life Kathleen was a lot to a lot of people. She was a daughter, older sister, devoted wife, giving mother, loving grandmother, friend and a life-long neighbor. She will be missed, but her legacy lives on in the many lives she has touched.

Survivors include her loving husband, Gerald; their eleven children: James Koeller; JoAnn (Bill) Williams; Donna Outlaw; Barbara Weber; Vicki Laugesen; Janet (John) Reding; Marcia (Doug) Kephart; Rita (Mike) Wehinger; John Koeller; Danny (Jill) Koeller; Karen Koeller; 18 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren and Baby Reding on the way; her siblings: Judy (Stanley) Henry; Merlyn (Mary) Nihles; sister-in-law: Delores Nihles; nieces, nephews, and many members of the Koeller family.

In addition to her parents, Kathleen was preceded in death by her brothers: Vernon (Gwen) Nihles and Robert Nihles; sons-in-law: Jerome Weber; Dennis Laugesen; and Ronald Outlaw; three nephews: Steven, Randy, and Terry Nihles; a niece, Sharon Nihles.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, May 12, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Tennyson with Father Richard Leffler officiating. Burial was in St. Thomas Cemetery, Potosi. Family and friends called on Wednesday, May 11, 2016, from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the church and on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. In lieu of plants and flowers, a Kathleen M. Koeller Memorial Fund has been established. Martin Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Potosi is assisting the family.