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Barb koester keeps track of roger's redi-mix in ruma

Story and photos by LIZ QUIRIN
Messenger editor

When Barb DeLuca married Roger Koester in 1958, never in her wildest dreams did she think she would be up to her hip boots in concrete — not cement but concrete.

When the couple started the business in 1965, Barb kept the books for her husband who knew the ins and outs of concrete. Cement is one of the ingredients in concrete, not a synonym for concrete, she said.

In 1967, the couple opened Illinois Excavators and ran both businesses, with 40 employees in each — in tandem until he died eight years ago. That was when Barb had to make a decision about whether to continue in business or get out. “It was fun when we started, and I always said if anything happened (to Roger) I would get out,” she said.

Because of her concern for the employees, she decided to keep the businesses open and continue to do the books while her son, Steve, took over running the company as he does today.

“We had faithful employees, so I had to go on,” she said.
Barb begins her days at 5 a.m. “Our phone starts ringing shortly after 5,” she said, and orders for concrete begin coming in from various customers.

Each day as drivers go out — 50-55 trucks in busy times — Barb prays for their safe return.
“Every day I pray the trucks get in safely,” she said.

She also requests prayers from her friends, including Glenda Wiegard. “I do a lot of praying,” she said.
The concrete business is “very competitive,” she said, with most major concrete companies owned by foreign investors.

Barb relies on her faith daily. “That’s what guides you in business,” she said.

For fun and relaxation, she plays the organ and sits down with friends to play poker.
An usher at her parish, St. John the Baptist in Red Bud, Barb said she likes interacting with people. “I like to greet them,” she said.

Barb also serves on the St. Clement Community Foundation board. The board raises money for, and awards scholarships in health-related fields.

Barb’s business advice that she learned from her father, Alfred DeLuca: “Give more of yourself than is expected, and you will never have a problem.”

In addition to her son, Steve, Barb also has a daughter, Diane in the construction business in San Diego, and seven grandchildren.

The Messenger congratulates Barb Koester for taking her faith into the marketplace.