KOSTERS, Edith Jean (Meengs) 1924-2015
KOSTERS, MEENGS
Posted By: Michelle Krieg (email)
Date: 10/9/2015 at 09:21:17
Edith J. Kosters, age 91 of New Hampton, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, July 5, 2015, with her family by her side at New Hampton Nursing and Rehab.
Edith Jean Kosters was born in Marquette, Michigan, on March 31, 1924. Her parents were Reverend and Mrs. Raymond D. and Anna (Potts) Meengs. She lived in Hamilton and Detroit, MI before moving to Sioux Center, IA at the age of thirteen. She was a graduate of Sioux Center High School in 1942 and attended Northwestern College, Orange City, IA.
She married her high school sweetheart, Francis Allen Kosters on September 15, 1944. Her father, Rev. R.D Meengs, united them in marriage. They began their married life in Sioux City, IA, where she worked for Bell Telephone Company. They also live on a farm near Ireton, before moving to Sioux Center. They were not only best friends, but also partners in a business owning and operating Kosters Department Store, later named Kosters Floor and Wall Covering for 35 years.
At 25, years old, in 1949, she contracted Polio, which caused widespread paralysis, especially on her left side. However, with her warrior determination, extensive therapy and treatment, family and community support, she slowly returned to a life with her family. Francis and Jean were the loving parents of four children, Allen Eugene, William Ray, Rachel Ann, and Ruth Marie.
Jean was a devoted and nurturing mother and very active in her children’s lives as they grew up. She also worked in an Economy Shop for eleven years, selling second hand clothes and sorting out charitable donations to the missions, Indian Reservations, Good Will, etc. She was active in Central Reform Church, where she taught Sunday school, Catechism, and was a member in the Reformed Church Women Mission organization.
She volunteered in helping with school, hospital, and community activities and events. This included being a Girl Scout and Camp Fire Girl leader, and an officer in the hospital auxiliary when it was first organized. She enjoyed traveling, reading, painting, working with ceramics, and gardening. They lived 66 years of their married life in Sioux Center. Circumstances warranted a move to New Hampton, IA in May of 2011, where she became a resident of New Hampton Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center.
Jean is survived by her two sons, Allen and wife Nancy Kosters of Sioux Falls, SD; Bill and wife Joan Kosters of Cresco, IA; two daughters, Rachel and husband Karl Fliris of New Hampton, IA; Ruth and husband Eugene Wells of Statesville, NC. She was blessed with twelve grandchildren, Scott and wife Carrie Kosters, CA; Jay and wife Megan Kosters, SD; Bruce and wife Jessica Kosters, CO; Michael and wife Julie Williams, MN; Ann Williams, MN; Kim and husband Chris Grimm, MN; Katie and husband Jason Johnson, MN; Gretchen and husband Chip Timm, IL; Rebecca and husband Mic Shekleton of IA; Alison and husband Dan Higgins, MN; Vanessa Wells, GA; Lauren and husband Todd Parsons, RI; sixteen great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Francis on November 27, 2012; daughter-in-law, Donna Rae Kosters; two brothers-in-law; Henry and Pricilla Kosters; John and Cornelia Kosters; and two sisters-in-law; Sarah Kosters and Eileen, and Lyle Stange.
Source: conway-markhamfh.com
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