Cindy L. Hiesterman

Cindy L. Hiesterman, 59, of Barnes, KS, died Friday, October 21, 2016 at the Hanover Hospital. Visitation was Tuesday, October 25, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Ward Funeral Home in Linn. The family received friends from 5 to 7 p.m. A funeral service was held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 26 at Immanuel Lutheran Church west of Linn. Rev. Richard Rikli officiated. Barbara Runke played the organ while the congregation sang “The Old Rugged Cross”, “The Strife is O’er, the Battle Done”, and “On Eagles Wings”. The pallbearers were Jeremy Olson, Kevin Clark, Jason Uffman, Chris Wilkens, Steven Melvin, Stanton Uffman, Dave Wollenburg, Luke Hiesterman, Daniel Hiesterman, and Jordan Hiesterman. The honorary pallbearers were Kaleb Clark, William Olson, Abigail Olson, Lillian Olson, Ida Hiesterman, Elizabeth Olson, Lorena Hiesterman, Kaden Clark, and Savannah Clark. Burial was at God's Hill south of Barnes. Cindy was born February 3, 1957 at Belleville, KS, daughter of Lawrence “Delton” and Norma (Garrett) Drebes. She became a child of God through Baptism March 3, 1957 and Confirmed that Faith on June 27, 1971 at St. Peters Lutheran Church, Barnes. She grew up in a family of hard workers who loved music and who rode horses through the beautiful Chepstow hills south of Barnes that they called home. Cindy and her horse Angel spent many hours together in those hills. In 1975, Cindy graduated from Linn High School. She considered going on to school to become a nurse, but all that changed one day when a T-Bucket that was a step away from a death trap on wheels drove on to the Drebes farm with Ernie Hiesterman in the passenger seat. He took one look at Cindy who was covered in farm muck and swinging milk buckets and thought “That’s the kind of girl I’m looking for”. Cindy later said “We always said we were just two losers who found each other and we were so happy”. On April 3, 1976, she was united in marriage to Ernie at St. Peters Lutheran Church, Barnes. From that day on they were a team. As a stay at home farm wife Cindy learned the skill of “wearing many hats” She was an skilled seamstress making and mending the family’s clothes. She drove grain trucks, did the bookwork, cooked (and often overcooked) the family meals. It was often said that the smoke detectors were as effective as the dinner bell in the Hiesterman house! As their children grew older Cindy found many other hats to wear in the community. She and Ernie were active volunteers in their church and Adult Leaders for Lutheran Youth Ministry for years. Anyone who new Cindy knew she enjoyed the opportunity to talk with others and share their burdens. She loved to mentor others and share her faith and other insights she had learned over the years. As her children got older Cindy took a position with USD223 as a secretary and School Board Clerk. During this time the Drebes women started a little business. Their goal was to make good bread, some great pie, and serve a little lunch. They named their business Our Daily Bread. Later in her life Cindy was asked to walk the path of chronic disease. Although it limited the number of years she was allowed to be on this earth it made her and her family understand the depth of their love for each other and the strength that could only be found in their Savior, Jesus Christ. Although Cindy’s physical strength was taken from her, nothing could separate her from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Survivors include her children, Laura (Kevin) Clark, Barnes, Kate (Jeremy) Olson, Palmer, KS, and Daniel (Lydia) Hiesterman, Washington; seven grandchildren, William Olson, Elizabeth Olson, Abigail Olson, Lorena Hiesterman, Lillian Olson, Ida Hiesterman, and Kaleb Clark; her mother, Norma Megenity and husband Sweeney; siblings, Marilyn Rogers, Marlene Rott, Connie (Dean) Wilkens, Kayleen (Scott) Laflen, and Michael (Sharon) Drebes. She was preceded in death by her father; husband, Ernest on February 18, 2016; two brothers-in-law, Stan Rott and Barry Rogers; two grandchildren, Kaden and Savannah Clark. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund in Cindy’s name has been established. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home, P.O. Box 157, Washington, KS. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Cindy L. Hiesterman, please visit our flower store.