Esther Raiha

Esther Koehn Raiha (age 104) of Decatur passed away on Saturday May 20, 2017 at McKinley Court Care Center. Grave side services will be held on Thursday June 1, 2017, at 11:00 AM, at Macon County Memorial Park, Harristown, Illinois with Pastor William Abbott officiating. Esther was born September 2, 1912 in Ontarioville, Illinois the daughter of Frederick William and Matilda (Buhr) Koehn. She was the oldest of eight children of Frederick and Matilda Koehn. After finishing high school she went to work in the Itasca State bank as a teller. On September 16, 1935 she married Arnold E. Raiha (preceded in death) and they had three children Arnold Frederick (preceded in death), Barbara Mae, and Glenn Norman. She spent most of her early years raising her children while working as a bank teller. In addition to being the perfect homemaker and mother she also continued to pursue an almost 50 year career as a bank teller. She retired from Valley Bank, Tucson Arizona in the early 1970’s. She loved to travel, cook for her family, and make quilts. Esther was a lifetime member of the Decatur Quilters Guild. She also spent many hours involved in various activities for Pilgrim Lutheran Church. Esther is survived by her daughter Barbara (husband Bud) Umphryes of Tucson, Arizona, daughter-in-law Karen Raiha (husband Arnold F. Raiha deceased) and son Glenn (wife Nancy) Raiha of Olympia, Washington. She had five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She loved family and spent many hours cooking and entertaining them when they were all together.Special thanks to the staff of McKinley Court Care Center for the care and compassion provided to Esther during her stay. In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation be made to Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 2155 N. Oakland, Decatur Illinois "
}