Norine Faye Koester, age 85, of Concordia, KS, passed away on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at the Clay County Medical Center, Clay Center, KS. She was born on March 4, 1941, in rural Delphos, KS, to Harry E. & Ellen M. (Nichols) Forshee.
Norine graduated from Concordia High School in 1959. She married Loren C. Koester on April 16, 1961, at Huscher, KS. He preceded her in death on March 5, 2020.
Norine was a longtime member of Huscher United Methodist Church and then later in life attended the Baptist Church of Concordia, placing her faith and trust in Jesus Christ. In their younger years, Loren and Norine enjoyed square dancing as members of the Aurora Starlighters. She was a member of E.H.U., PEO, a 4-H Leader, and always had a servant’s heart. She enjoyed cooking, baking, and making sure everyone else was well fed and taken care of before she sat down herself. County Fair season was always a highlight for Norine, and you would often find her baking goodies for open class, volunteering, or judging at a nearby fair. She also enjoyed serving on the local election board. Spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren was one of her favorite things to do. Norine would often be found after holiday meals playing with the youngest generation, whether it be coloring, reading, playing in a fort, baking cookies, or having a water balloon fight, with great memories made by all. Her siblings were a big part of her life, as they would talk daily on the phone, or they would simply spend time around a kitchen table.
Norine is survived by her daughters, Karla Koester, Rose Hill, KS, and Karin Kaiser (Kenny), Douglass, KS; son, Roger Koester (Tricia), Concordia, KS; sisters, Neva Demanett, Concordia, KS, and Audrey Elyea, Belleville, KS; sister in-law Shirley Forshee, Concordia, KS; grandchildren, Kassidy Krehbiel (Donovan), Kraemer Kaiser and Kylee Kaiser; Gavin Koester (Hannah), Garet Koester (Hannah) and Jaida Koester, and 15 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Loren; infant daughter, Barbara; her parents; grandson, Grant Koester; brothers, Harry L. Forshee and Carl “Bill” Forshee; sisters, Marguerite Thorpe, LaVona Merry, Phyllis Larson, Thelma and Marie Forshee.
It was Norine’s wishes to be cremated, and a memorial service will be Monday, September 28, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Baptist Church, Concordia, with Pastor Tim Miller officiating. A private family burial of the cremains will be in the Nelson Center Cemetery, Huscher, KS. Friends may sign the register book on Sunday, September 27, 2026, from 4-8 p.m., with family greeting friends from 6-7 p.m. at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, Concordia. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Sunset Nursing Home in care of the funeral home. For online condolences, please visit www.chaputbuoy.com. Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, 325 W. 6th St., PO Box 606, Concordia, KS 66901, is in charge of arrangements.
