Bernice Koster

Bernice Koster, age 84, of Fonda, Iowa died Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at the Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Funeral Mass will be Saturday, September 13, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Fonda. Burial will follow in the Mt. Zion Catholic Cemetery in Fonda. Visitation will take place Friday, September 12, 2014 from 4-8:00 p.m. with a rosary service at 4:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Fonda. The Mahaney Funeral Home in Fonda is in charge of the arrangements. Bernice Clara Koster was born to Vincent and Mary (Pudenz) Broich on November 27, 1929 in Mt. Carmel, Iowa. She received the Sacrament of Baptism and the Sacrament of Confirmation at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church. She graduated in 1947 from St. Angela’s Academy, Carroll, Iowa. On October 24, 1950 she was united in the Sacrament of Matrimony to Doyle John Koster in Mt. Carmel, Iowa. They were blessed with 15 children: Patricia, Rita, Howard, Michael, Phillip, Lois, Marian, Matthew, Jolene, Gloria, Julie, Ann, Teresa, Mary and Kathryn. A true testament to a person’s life is how she lived her life and, oh, how she lived a beautiful life. Bernice was a faith filled gracious, gentle and loving daughter, sister, wife, sister-in-law, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was a patient lady and often repeated “things will always work out.” Mom was a very devoted mother. Bernice and Doyle made their first home on a farm near Breda, Iowa. From there, they moved to a farm near Wall Lake, Iowa, and in 1959 they purchased a farm north of Fonda where she lived until her death. Bernice was a long time active member of the Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish where all 15 of her children attended school. Bernice was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, Holy Family Society and, for a short-time, was the hot lunch cook at OLGC Grade School. Bernice lived to love and nurture her family. Among her many talents, she enjoyed being a farmer’s wife, the outdoors, gardening, baking, decorating, keeping a clean house, painting, quilting, canning, and sewing. Her community activities included Hobby Club, card club playing, and being a long-term 4-H club leader. Bernice was an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan and watched them play daily every season. Bernice was devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary, prayed the rosary daily at 5:45 p.m., and only God knows how many other times in a given day. She went to bed each night with the rosary in her hands. Surrounded by her family praying the rosary, she entered into rest peacefully on Tuesday, September 9th, 2014. Those left to cherish and celebrate her memories include her children: Pat (Jim) McMannus, Fort Dodge, Iowa; Rita (Jerry) Simpson, Fort Dodge, Iowa; Howard (Deb) Koster, Carroll, Iowa; Mike (Dalena) Koster, Fonda, Iowa; Phil (Cathy) Koster, Ankeny, Iowa; Lois (Kent) Peterson, Concord, California; Marian Koster, Carroll, Iowa; Matt (June) Koster, Fonda, Iowa; Jolene (John) Baumhover, Ankeny, Iowa; Gloria (Al) Kuhn, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Julie (Roger) Batterson, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Teresa (Pat) McElroy, Sioux City, Iowa; Mary (Rick) Whitham, West Des Moines, Iowa; Kathryn (Jeff) Schultz, Fariibault, Minnesota, 44 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren, sisters: Lota Mae (Claire) Hannasch, Tracy, Minnesota, and Marie (Neil) Steinkamp, Wall Lake, Iowa; sisters-in-law: Marguerite Broich, Carroll, Iowa; Virginia Broich, Lake View, Iowa; Katherine Broich, Carroll, Iowa; Maxine (Marvin) Heinirchs, Fulda, Minnesota; Dolores Koster, Carroll, Iowa; Ruth (Clete) Heinrichs, Marshalltown, Iowa; brothers-in-law: Roger and Darlene Koster, Elkader, Iowa; Leroy (Joanell) Koster, Breda, Iowa and many nieces and nephews. Bernice was preceded in death by her husband, Doyle; daughter, Ann; great granddaughter, Anne Muriel Thompson; parents, Vincent and Mary Broich; step-mother, Emma Broich; bothers: Virgil, Paul, Mel, and Harold Broich.

Bernice Koster

November 27, 1929 - September 9, 2014