Mackenzie Claire Koester gained her angel wings on June 30, 2016 at 8:50 in the morning. She was a fighter from the beginning despite her fatal diagnosis of Trisomy 18. She was not expected to live for more than a few minutes and instead, we were blessed with 18 wonderful hours with her.

In those short hours, Mackenzie touched the lives of so many. She left a permanent mark on our hearts and on all those who were blessed to meet her. She reminded us of how short life really is and to not take even a second for granted. We were blessed to be her parents and we gave her a lifetime of love in those 18 hours.

Mackenzie is survived by her loving parents, Robert Koester and Danielle Marshall of Springfield, Missouri; brother, Cole Marshall; paternal grandparents, Robert and Lisa Koester of Fair Grove, Missouri; maternal grandparents, Steven and Shirley Clark of Bentonville Arkansas; and numerous family members.

"Those we love don't go away,

They walk beside us every day,

Unseen, unheard, but always near,

Still loved, still missed and very dear"


Services will be held at 3 PM, July 15, 2016, at Midwest Cremation and Funeral Services.