Caroline Koester

Carol was born July 21, 1921, which was also her Father's birthday. She was born to Marco and Maria Orso, who both emigrated here from Italy. She had two younger sisters, Mary Louise Bracco, married to James Bracco and Faith Luke, married to Herbert Luke, all of whom are deceased. Carol was raised in the Hill area of St. Louis. when she started kindergarten, she was unable to speak English as all that was spoken at their home was Italian. As a child, she lived through the Depression, during which time the family lost their home and moved in with friends. She also spoke about the Prohibition period on the Hill when the agents would come in and smash all the stills and the moonshine rain through all the gutters. When she was nine years old, her mother was institutionalized with what today would be called post partum depression. She never returned to the home. She had to help raise her two sisters while her Father worked. After graduating from eighth grade, she went to work at a laundry in North St. Louis. When older, she worked for Quick Meal and Magic Chef at a factory on the Hill making stoves. During WW II, the facility converted to making gas tanks for our bombers. She was a "Rosie the Riveter"! She met Charlie through a mutual friend while walking home from work one night at midnight. They were married in 1946 and moved to South St. Louis. Helen was born in 1948. Carol and Charlie were married forty four years until his death in 1990. They both loved to travel and took many trips together. One of Carol's passions was gardening and she had beautiful flower beds. She was a great cook. She leaves behind her daughter, Helen, many nieces and nephews and cousins, some of whome still reside in Italy, and many friends. She was a special friend to the Sandheinrich, Compas and Keisker families, as well as the Nicosia Family. We cherish her memory and ask for our prayers for her.