sister-annunciata.jpgCLEVELAND, Ohio - Sister Annunciata Koester, of the Poor Clares, died Aug. 26 at Regina Health Care in Cleveland, age 84.

Born Martha Lucille Koester in Funkhouser, she was the daughter of the late Peter George and Clara Anastasia Nacke Koester. She was baptized at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Effingham and graduated from eighth grade at St. Francis School in Teutopolis.

She entered the Poor Clare Colettine Community as an extern sister on Jan. 22, 1944, received the habit and her religious name on Jan. 23, 1945. She made her first profession of vows on Jan. 23, 1947 and final profession on Jan. 22, 1953.

Sister Annunciata spent 64 years as an extern, or uncloistered, sister, serving as portress, sacristan and working in the kitchen and laundry. Due to failing health, she entered Regina Health Care in the spring of 2005.

Sister Annunciata was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Rose Mary Kulavic and Sister Mary Camilla (Rita) Koester, PCC; and brother Gabriel "Bud" Koester. She is survived by nephews Jerome Kulavic of Pawnee and Edward Kulavic of Springfield; nieces Patricia Kulavic and Clare Marie Sinks, both of Springfield; great-nieces and great-nephews and friends.

The funeral Mass was held Sept. 1 in the chapel at the Monastery of the Poor Clares in Cleveland. Interment was in the Mausoleum in the cloister garden.