Dorothy Koester

Dorothy (Orleans) Koester, 73, longtime Grafton resident, died peacefully at home after a long battle with cancer, on Sunday, December 28, 2025, surrounded by her family.

Born in Colorado Springs, Dorothy lived in Texas and California as well, before transferring to Peru State College, where she met Ron Koester. They married in 1973, and made a home in Hereford, Texas, before Ron’s job brought them to North Dakota, where they lived in Hillsboro, Mayville, and finally Grafton. Dorothy completed her degree in elementary education at Mayville State College and taught fifth graders in Grandin and substituted in many other schools in the area before suspending her career to raise five children. She later served as a substitute teacher in the Grafton schools, and sewed costumes for the high school musicals.

Dorothy volunteered at LSTC, belonged to the choir at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, and was active in the parish and several local quilting circles. She was a supporter of St. Gianna and Pietro Molla Maternity Home.

Dorothy’s parents, Lou and June Orleans, and one sibling, Carolyn Gray, preceded her in death. She is survived by Ron Koester, her husband of 52 years, her children Steve (Lindsay) Koester of Evans, CO, Christie Koester of Grand Forks, Cody Koester (Betty) also of Grand Forks, Bobbi Jo Phelps of Fargo, and Lisa Koester of Dallas, TX, and by ten grandchildren, Fabian, Amanda, Amber, Halle, Adam, Alex, Hunter, Naomi, Myles, and Westin.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 10:30 AM at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church of Grafton. Visitation will be Saturday from 9:00 AM until the time of the service at the church. Interment will be at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to St. Gianna and Pietro Molla Maternity Home in Warsaw, ND.