Obituary of Kerstin Koe

Kirsten Landmer Koe was born in Varnamo, in the region of Smaland, Sweden, on July 27, 1927 and the numbers 7, 27, 27 were auspicious to her. The daughter of Reverend Gustaf and Majken Jorgensen Landmer, her father was a Church of the Covenant minister, educated at North Park College, Chicago, Ill. She was sister to Inor, (deceased) Gunnar and Carin Landmer. She completed her nursing degree in Uppsala and practiced nursing in both Sweden and the United States - Chicago and New York. On March 23, 1962 she became a citizen of the United States and was very proud of her U.S. citizenship. She was married to Charles Erickson, a Swedish/American businessman, until his death and lived in Highland Beach, Florida, where she resided among a community of Swedish friends. She married Frank T. Koe of State College on September 11, 1982 and was step-mother to Frank T. Koe, Jr. of New York and State College, W. Frederick Koe of Pleasant Gap, and Katie Dawes of Alexandria, Pa. Kerstin was "Mor-mor" to her only grandson R. John Dawes of Washington DC. Kerstin was a resident of the Inn at Brookline after the death of her husband where she made many friends. She is survived by immediate family and many nieces and nephews in Sweden as well as a sister-in-law, Madeline Kopilchack of New York. A member of St. Paul's Methodist Church in State College, she retained her affiliation with the Church of the Covenant and spoke fondly of memories of her father's preaching. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, February 13, 2011, at the Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St., State College. A private graveside service will be held at the Boalsburg Cemetery.