Rosaline (Streit) Koster was born on February 20, 1925 on the family farm west of Tipton, KS, the daughter of George and Katherine Schroeder Streit. She died early Tuesday morning, August 20, 2019 at the Downs Care and Rehabilitation Center at the age of 94.
Rosie (as she was known) completed eighth grade at St. Boniface Catholic school in Tipton, and spent her early years helping her brothers on the family farm. She was very attached to her twin sister, Angeline and they did many things together, remaining close into adulthood.
On May 9, 1949 she was united in marriage to Richard Koster at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Tipton. To this union four sons were born: Thomas, Gerald, Derald, and Barry.
After a brief employment in Denver, CO, Dick and Rosie returned to Cawker City where they purchased the Co-Op grocery store in 1961 and renamed it Koster’s Market. They operated the grocery store, side by side, until retirement in 1987. Rosie’s passions were baking and dancing. She loved finding out what her sons and grandchildren liked and when they came home, she would have all their favorites waiting to be devoured. She always baked for the annual smorgasbord, cake walks, Senior Center, and funerals. Rosie was always ready to head out to dance to a good Polka band. In fact, Dick and Rosie first met at a dance in Tipton. Rosie also loved flowers. Whether se was growing them or receiving them, she was always so proud of her flowers. She grew beautiful roses and loved taking care of her yard before entering the nursing home. If she received flowers as a gift, she would make sure the residents of the nursing home would get to enjoy them as she would have them displayed on the tables.
Rosie was a member of the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Cawker City and the Sts. Peter and Paul Ladies Guild. She was also a member of the Senior Center in Cawker City, where she volunteered many hours before entering the nursing home. While at the nursing home, she loved playing bingo, getting her nails done, and having her hair done each week. She loved dressing nice and always received many compliments on being a classy lady. She made many friends while at the nursing home and considered some of the nurses her extended family.
Rosie was the last of 11 siblings to pass. Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband Richard, her brothers and sisters John (Mary), Lawrence (Anna), Arnold (Josephine), Al (Elizabeth), Benedict, Cap C. (Helena), George Jr., Bernadine Junk (Ed), Rosie’s twin Angeline Eilert (Leo), and Philip (Cecelia). She was also preceded in death by her son Jerry and a great-grandson, Ethan Thomas Koster. She is survived by her three sons and their wives Thomas (Dona) of Manhattan, Derald (Anna) of Bangkok, Thailand, and Barry (Jill) of Leawood. Rosie is also survived by seven grandchildren and their spouses Shane (Janis) and Justin (Jenny) of Olathe, Lindsay McPeak (Jeff) of Lincoln, NE, Jenna Boss (Ryan) of Wichita, Kayleigh Laptad (Jake) of Overland Park, Chase and Allison Koster of Leawood. She was also very proud to be a great-grandmother to 11: Carter, Kennedy, and Grady McPeak, Grace Ann, MaKenna, and Kinley Koster, Jade and Tessa Koster, Ellie Laptad, and Mason Boss (the last four she never got to meet but she knew about them and asked about each of them).
Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM Saturday, August 24 at the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Cawker City. A rosary service will be at 7 PM Friday, August 23 and visitation will be from 6 PM until the rosary service at the Church. Memorials may be given to the Church or Solomon Valley Hospice.