Esther Doris Koep was born on September 9, 1920, in Delafield Township, Jackson County, Minnesota to the late John and Ida (Kienitz) Hinkeldey. She was baptized on October 3, 1920, at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in rural Lakefield and was later confirmed on April 19, 1935, in that same church. Her confirmation verse was Matthew 26:44. Esther attended four years of school in country District 70 and four years at the Lutheran School. On February 20, 1944, Esther was united in marriage to Albert Koep at St. Peter's Lutheran Church. This marriage was blessed with one daughter, Joyce. For many years, Esther and Albert farmed together. Esther also worked at the Truck Stop Café, the Pizza Barn and Fingerhut from 1966-1977. On February 4, 1984, Esther's husband tragically was killed in a blizzard. After his death, she continued to make her home in Windom. She loved hand quilting many quilts, flowers, and gardening. On Tuesday, December 16th, 2008, Esther was hospitalized at the Fairmont Medical Center in Fairmont, Minnesota where she passed away suddenly on Monday evening, December 22nd, almost a week after colon cancer surgery. Esther was a longtime member of the Lutheran Church of Our Savior in Windom where she was active in Altar Guild, member of the LWML and the Anna Martha Circle. Esther is survived by her one daughter, Joyce Baumann and her husband, Orville, Jr. of Lakefield; three grandchildren, Kelli Bosma and her husband, Timothy, of Worthington; Keith Baumann and his wife, Joleen, of Milford, IA; Kari Baumann of Worthington; five great-grandchildren, Alexis, Alyssa, and Brandon Bosma, Lindsay and Jadyn Baumann; one sister, Irene Stevens of Heron Lake; one brother, Willis Hinkeldey and his wife, Sharon, of Windom; one brother-in-law, Leonard Garms of Sioux Valley; four sister-in-laws, Bernice Vieregge, Margaret Wolf, Alice Koep, and Eunice Connery; and several nieces and nephews. Esther is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Albert; one infant grandson; one brother, Wally Hinkeldey; one sister, Gladys Garms; five brother-in-laws, Kenneth Stevens, William Vieregge, Jake Wolf, Byron "Bike" Koep, and Robert Koep. Blessed be the memory of Esther Doris Koep.