Was born to eternal life on January 18, 2024 at the age of 79 after fighting a battle with illness. Michael was born on May 1, 1944 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Dorothea (Mueller) and Kenneth Koester. He grew up in Milwaukee. Michael attended Custer High School and then went on to UW Milwaukee and earned a degree in Accounting. He had a long and successful career in public accounting and corporate compliance. He was fortunate to travel to many world locations for his work in accounting. Michael married Cecelia Schneidler on November 11, 1967. They celebrated 56 years of marriage. Michael enjoyed attending and hearing all about his grandchildren’s sporting events, while also cheering on the Packers, Badgers and Brewers. He was an avid reader.

Michael is survived by his wife of 56 years, Cecelia. He is also survived by his daughter and son-in-law Kim and Joe Schneider and their children: Sabrina (Max Cannon), Craig, and Anna, and son and daughter-in-law Kenneth and Katie Koester and their children: Jackson and Lauren. He is further survived by family and friends, especially his “Billiard Buddies” at the Highlands. Michael was preceded in death by his parents: Dorothea and Kenneth Koester, his in-laws John and Margaret Schneidler, and his grandson, Jacob Michael Koester. Private funeral services for family and friends will be held.

The family is grateful for the incredible care and compassion he received from the ICU nurses and doctors at both Ascension Mequon and Ascension Milwaukee hospitals over the last month. His legacy of kindness and dedication to his family will be cherished by all whose lives he touched. The family requests memorial donations be given to the Helping Hand of Lumen Christi Parish.