Born on August 14, 1914, in Sayre, Oklahoma, Louise Helen "Het" Ivester was the eleventh child born to New Liberty homesteading pioneers John Wesley and Margaret Emily Carnahan Ivester.

She passed away Sunday, August 2, 2015.

A native of Sayre and 1932 graduate of Sayre High School, Mrs. Coogan earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Science and Literature from Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College, now Oklahoma State University, in Stillwater, on May31, 1937. She also had two summers graduate work from OSU. In 1959 she was awarded a scholarship to the National Science Foundation Institute at Canyon City, Co., and in 1962 she earned a Master of Teaching degree from Southwestern State College, now Southwestern Oklahoma State University. She married Frederick Leon Coogan, Jr. on June 2, 1942, in St. Joseph's rectory in Elk City, while he was in officer's training school at Chanute Field, Rantoul, Ill. Mr. Coogan attended New Mexico Military Institute, Roswell and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Oklahoma, Norman, where he had been a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Mrs. Coogan began her teaching career in the Oklahoma School System in 1938. She taught education in the Oklahoma City elementary schools a year before teaching physical education in Borger, Texas for a year. She taught physical education and social science in the Sayre School System for 29 years-until her retirement in 1976. She was honored as the Beckham County Teacher of the Year in 1973.Throughout her years Mrs. Coogan demonstrated an excellence in teaching and a continuing interest in her students. She is remembered by many of them for her friendly-but stern way, and she continued to be a great help and encouragement to them throughout their school years. She sponsored Sayre's senior and junior high student council for 22 years, taking representatives to state conventions in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Putman City and Lawton. For four years she sponsored groups of students to the Citizenship Forum in Oklahoma City. And for 15 years she sponsored freshman classes, taking field trips to places of historical interest in Oklahoma City, organizing freshman proms and directing the production of freshman class yearbooks. Mrs. Coogan also sponsored the Sayre Science Fair for five years, aiding students with their projects and supervising the overall fair activities. Louise has been active in the American Legion Auxiliary for many years, serving several times as the Sayre unit's president and several times as secretary-treasurer. She held the office of district president and several times as secretary-treasurer. She held the office of district for one year and was Department Gold Star Mother's chairman for a year. She was Senior Counselor of Oklahoma Girls State for five years. A long-time leader in her church, the First United Methodist Church of Sayre, Mrs. Coogan was active in youth work, served on the Board of Stewards, and taught the Workers Class for years. She also was a member and held office in the Wesleyan Service Guild which later combined with the Women's Society for Christian Service to the United Methodist Women.

She is preceded in death by her husband Fred, her parents John Wesley and Margaret Emily Ivester, eight brothers; James Alford, William Lando, Edward Byron, Clay, Hubert Clifford, Horace, Ernest Windle and Jack Ivester; and three sisters: Gladys Marion, Dorothy Beatrice "Dollie" Shelley, and Lucille Hazel Nelson. Both Edward Byron Ivester and Gladys Marion Ivester died in infancy.

She is survived by her nieces Sherry Joyce, Phyllis Kay Beam, Marilyn Francis, Margaret Ann English and Dorothy Jean Mundt; nephews John Creig Coogan, Jr., John E.T. Ivester, Robert L. Ivester, Jack W. Ivester; numerous great nieces and nephews, great great nieces and nephews as well as a host of family and friends. Louise also enjoyed traveling, working in her yard as she was able, and keeping in touch with family and friends. Her family was very important to her. She looked forward each year to the annual Ivester-Carnahan reunion and the family Christmas holiday gatherings. Louise was also known for her enthusiastic greeting-a brisk slap on the back and a hearty "How are you doing?" 

In lieu of flowers, she wanted donations made to the memorial fund at the Sayre First United Methodist Church or the charity of the individual's choice.