Mary Elizabeth 'Betty' Koester, age 93 of Batesville, Indiana passed away on Friday, August 12, 2016 at St. Andrews Health Campus.  The daughter of Walter & Mae (Ruleman) Borchelt was born on June 1, 1923 in Franklin County, Indiana just west of Batesville.

Betty was the oldest of five children in a family raised in the great depression. As most of that generation, she learned frugality, sharing and self-sufficiency. Betty married Melvin Koester on October 4, 1941 on her parents' farm in Ripley County.  She married young by today's standards, and started her family right away. She was a devoted daughter, wife, mother and grandmother as well as an integral part of the community serving as: room-mother, 4-H leader, Sunday School teacher and church volunteer – locally, association-wide and conference-wide, as a member of St. John United Church of Christ (Huntersville).  She generously shared whatever she had in all aspects of life – funds, time, food, energy, etc.

She was always interested in education, making sure her children learned a variety of skills, either from her or from someone else giving them lessons. She completed her GED for her high school class's 50th reunion. Her interests included going dancing with Melvin, county, local and church history, and multi-family genealogy for the Huntersville area. After raising her children she enjoyed travelling with a local friend as Melvin didn't "want to leave the farm".  Melvin passed away on October 19, 1988.

Her interest in education continued through to her grandchildren – teaching simple lessons through daily activities and playing games (especially card games) as well as contributing to college educations for her children and grandchildren.

The family thinks of her as one of the strongest women we know – her ability to handle any situation with confidence, authority,  grace and caring made her an excellent role model. This strength will hopefully have ripples of effects throughout the world from each of us being stronger for learning and growing with her.

She is survived by her children Rev. Lois Happe (Rev. Marjorie Mollar) of Storrs, CT, Barbara Foster (Rev.  Joseph R.) of Batesville, IN,  Linda Gavaldon of Long Beach, CA, Peg Mertz (Brent) of Lenhartsville, PA, Jim Koester (Barb) of Batesville, IN, and Joyce Jackson of Indianapolis, IN along with 14 grand children, 11 great grandchildren and brothers Alvin Borchelt of Indianapolis, IN and Dan Borchelt of Sunman, IN.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sister Lucille Williams, brother Bill Borchelt, 3 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.

Visitation will be Monday, August 15, 2016 from 4pm to 8pm at Meyers Funeral Home in Batesville, IN. Funeral Services are Tuesday, 10:00am at St. John United Church of Christ,(Huntersville) Batesville, IN.  Rev. Linda & Dennis  Frische-Mouri officiating.  Burial will follow in St. John Cemetery, Batesville, IN.

Memorials may be given to the St. John UCC Kitchen Fund or Heifer International. www.meyersfuneralhomes.com