Niester, Colleen Joyce 1929-2009

NIESTER, AKRE, ROSELAND, ZARNDT, INNIS, KRIEGEL

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 4/13/2012 at 16:07:23

The Poweshiek County CR; March 18, 2009

COLLEEN JOYCE NIESTER, 79

Colleen Joyce Niester, 79, of Grinnell died from cancer at her home in Grinnell, on Monday, March 9, 2009. Services were Wednesday, March 11, at Hickory Grove Church in rural Grinnell. Pastor John Davidson officiated.

Mrs. Niester was born in Grinnell on Nov. 17, 1929, to Ralph and Olga Akre Roseland. She was raised in Grinnell and graduated from Grinnell High School, Class of 1948. She was married to Delmar C. Niester on May 16, 1949, in Montezuma. The couple lived in Grinnell. She started the hot lunch program in Grinnell's rural schools and went on to be head cook at Davis Elementary for 12 years. Colleen loved music and played stand-up bass in Rock Creek Country Band, enjoyed camping, fishing and gardening and was a voracious reader. She was first and foremost, a loving wife and mother.

She is survived by her children, Stephen Niester and wife, Sandy, of Ames, Sandra Zarndt of Normal, Ill., and Sherry Innis and husband, Roger, of Grinnell; four grandchildren, Kerry Niester and wife, Michelle, of San Antonio, Texas, Kim Kriegel and husband, Dan, of Grinnell, Sara Zarndt of Decatur, Ill., and Skyler Zarndt of Normal, Ill.; eight great-grandchildren, Jonathan and Nicole Niester and Matthew, Shaden, Jevin, Austin, Cody and Logan.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and two brothers, Richard and Norman Roseland.

Colleen will be remembered for her unconditional love.