Betty Jean (Kramer) Hoth Kostman 1936-2007

PRESLOPSKI, KRAMER, HOTH, KOSTMAN, MOSH, MEYER, LEIRAN, HOWE

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 11/20/2007 at 20:43:43

Betty Kostman

Betty Hoth Kostman, of Postville, entered into God's Kingdom Friday morning, Oct. 12, 2007, at her home in Postville. She was 71.

Funeral services were held Monday, Oct. 15, at the Community Presbyterian Church in Postville with the Rev. Gary Catterson officiating. Special music was provided by organist Beverly Bacon and soloist Rev. Connie Peake. Casket bearers were Mark Kramer, Joe Kramer, Jeff Kramer, and Marty Leiran. Honorary casket bearers were her Godchildren, Billy Jo Schlee, Kristen Kramer, and Jay Hoth. Schutte Funeral and Cremation Service of Postville was in charge of arrangements.

Betty Jean (Kramer) Hoth Kostman was born January 12, 1936, in McGregor to Edwin Joseph and Cathirena "Katie" Mae (Preslopski) Kramer. Betty moved from McGregor at the age of five to a rural area between Strawberry Point and Manchester. Two years later, they moved to a farm a mile west of Strawberry Point, where she lived until 1955, when she moved to Postville.

Betty graduated from the Strawberry Point High School and attended Iowa State Teachers College (UNI), receiving a pre-professional teaching degree in 1955. When teaching licensing changed to require a four year degree, Betty attended Luther College and Upper Iowa University to earn her B.A.

She was a kindergarten and first grade teacher in the Postville School system from 1955 to 1995. During her 36 years of teaching, she touched the lives of 1,121 students. She received the Golden Apple Award for teaching excellence.

On May 25, 1957, she married Charles "Chuck" Hoth at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville. To this union two children were born, Frederick Charles and Jacque Sue. Chuck passed away Dec. 20, 1979. Betty married Paul Kostman on June 5, 1982; he died April 30, 1990.

Betty was a member of Community Presbyterian Church in Postville. She was a member of the Women's Association, served on both the Session and as a Deacon, taught Sunday School and was a member of the Music and Worship and Christian Education Committees. She was a Hospice volunteer for 15 years, served on the Postville School Board from 1995 to 2002, the Northland Agency on Aging Policy Board, Resident Advocate for the Good Samaritan Center, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, the Red Hat Society, and the Retired Teachers Association. Betty also enjoyed being a volunteer at the school, her Euchre, Pinochle and Canasta card clubs, the Birthday Club, and her bowling team.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Edwin and Katie Kramer; her husbands, Charles Hoth and Paul Kostman; father- and mother-in-laws, Elmer and Ella Hoth, and Paul and Dora Kostman; and brother- and sister-in-law, John and Gen Hoth.

She is survived by her children, Fred (Cheryl) Hoth, Waukee, and Jacque (Tim) Mosh, Winterset; stepchildren, Laurie (Steve) Meyer, Marshfield, Wis., Ron (Moon) Kostman, Savage, Minn., Paula Kostman, Maplewood, Minn., and Matt Kostman, Calmar; five grandchildren: Kara, Kelsey, and Casey Mohs, and Hannah and Elicia Hoth; six step-grandchildren: Megan, Patrick, and Jenna Meyer, Katie and Christine Kostman, and Marissa Frana; two brothers, John (Rose) Kramer, Grundy Center, and Kim (Peggy) Kramer, Lake City; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Caryl (Gary) Leiran, Postville, Delores (Neil) Howe, Bangor, Wis., and Delmar (Janet) Kostman, Decorah.

Postville Herald-Leader, October 16, 2007