Darlene Koster

DARLENE KOSTER

Elkader

Darlene Sue Koster, 82, of Elkader, passed away peacefully on Nov. 27, 2014, with her family by her side.

Darlene was born Nov. 28, 1931, in Breda, Iowa, the daughter of A.J. and Elizabeth (Schulte) Wolterman. She spent her younger years in the Breda area and graduated from St. Bernard's School in 1949. Darlene was a nurse's aide in surgery at St. Anthony's Hospital in Carroll, Iowa, until she married the love of her life, Roger Koster, on June 15, 1955, at St. Bernard's Church in Breda.

Darlene was gentle and loving. She never had anything but a kind word to or for anyone – "We are all God's children." With her strong Christian faith, Darlene possessed a great love for her family and friends, especially her grandchildren and great- grandchildren, who were perfect in her eyes.

Darlene enjoyed baking and sharing her favorites with others. She also was a gifted seamstress – sewing, mending and altering clothing for her family and working on many projects for the St. Joseph's Crafters.

Darlene had a love for nature and gladly shared her beautiful roses with the many deer visiting her flower bed. Darlene spent hours sitting in the stands and seats at sporting events, music concerts and plays supporting her children and grandchildren.

Darlene enjoyed reading, spending time with family and friends and taking trips up north to see who could catch the biggest fish between her and Roger.

Darlene served as co-coordinator for the religious education program at St. Joseph's Church for 16 years and taught religious education classes other years. She was a member of St. Joseph's Crafters, St. Joseph's Guild, St. Joseph's Choir, Central Community Hospital Auxiliary and American Legion Auxiliary. She also served on the Four Oaks board at the Elkader Country Club and volunteered with the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

Darlene is survived by her husband of 59 years, Roger of Elkader; her children, Stanley of Palo, Suzanne (Pat) Hyde of Urbandale, William (Lisa) of Huntington Beach, Calif., Nancy (Tom) Healy of Elkader and Daniel (Kris) of Van Meter; nine grandchildren, Ryan (Emily) Hyde and Amanda (Stuart) Kunkel, Tyler Koster, Andrew, Danielle and Elizabeth Healy, Bryon, Owen and Benjamin Koster; two great-grandchildren, Landon Kunkel and Elizabeth Hyde; one sister, Mildred McCoy of Fonda; and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Rita Wolterman of Adams, Minn., Lucy Wolterman of Jefferson, Arlene and Dennis Alspach of Carroll, Dolores Koster of Breda, Marvin and Maxine Heinrichs of Fulda, Minn., Cletus and Ruth Heinrichs of Marshalltown and Leroy and Joanell Koster of Breda.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; seven brothers, Harold, Wilbur, Lester, Richard, Elmer, Joe and Raphael Wolterman; and three sisters, Bernice Steinkamp, Elsie Koster and Marita Neppl.

Memorials may be given to Central Community Hospital Foundation, Central Ambulance Service, St. Jude Hospice or St. Joseph's Religious Education Program.

Visitation will be Sunday, Nov. 30, from 2 to 5 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Elkader, with a 5 p.m. parish Scripture service. Visitation also will be one hour before mass time at the church on Monday. Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, Dec. 1, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elkader. The Very Rev. Paul R. Peters will be the celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Elkader.

Condolences may be left with www.leonard funeralhomes.com.

Leonard Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elkader is assisting the family with arrangements.