![\"\"](\"https:\/\/graufuneralhomes.com\/lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Roger-Koster-213x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Roger Anthony Koster, 96, passed away peacefully on\u00a0November 5, 2024, at Atrium Village in Hills, Iowa. Roger was born on\u00a0September 24, 1928, in Breda, Iowa, to William and Matilda (Grabner) Koster.\u00a0 Growing up on the family farm, Roger developed a strong work ethic and a deep love for the land that would guide him throughout his life.<\/p>\n
After high school, Roger worked for his dad with plans to be a farmer. But when the Korean War broke out, Roger was drafted into the Army and was stationed with his Division near the demilitarized zone in southern Germany alongside other NATO forces. Roger contracted tuberculosis (TB) near the end of his service and spent over a year recovering in the VA Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, and eventually at home in Breda. Because of damage to Roger\u2019s lungs due to TB, doctors at the VA Hospital advised him to give up his plans to farm.\u00a0 With funding available through the VA, Roger was able to enroll at Iowa State (becoming a Cyclone fan for life) and graduated with a degree in Agronomy in\u00a0July 1957\u00a0\u2013 a natural extension of his lifelong passion for agriculture.<\/p>\n
Roger met the love of his life, Darlene Wolterman, and they both waited patiently (and maybe a bit impatiently at times) as Roger completed his military service and recovered from TB before finally marrying on\u00a0June 15, 1955. Together, they shared 59 years of love and companionship, building a life rooted in faith, family, and kindness toward others.<\/p>\n
Throughout his career as a soil conservationist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and later as coordinator for Iowa State University Extension\u2019s Big Spring Basin Project, Roger devoted his time and effort to the stewardship of our natural resources and worked tirelessly to address issues related to soil preservation, water quality, and wildlife habitat. Roger also served on various boards including the Clayton County Conservation Board and he was a lifelong member of Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever.<\/p>\n
Roger\u2019s love of the land was also apparent in the hobbies he enjoyed. He liked hunting turkeys, pheasants, geese and ducks, preferably with one of his faithful dogs by his side, and he especially looked forward to his annual hunting trips to Canada each fall. Roger was always up for a hike in the timber or across prairies, and he enjoyed rounds of golf with family and friends. But most of all, Roger was a lifelong fisherman at heart, especially when he was fishing alongside Darlene, his children, and above all his grandchildren.<\/p>\n
Roger and Darlene loved their children, but it was their grandchildren and great-grandchildren who brought them the most joy.\u00a0 They attended endless sporting events and music concerts, and dropped whatever they were doing when a grandchild or great-grandchild visited.<\/p>\n
Roger\u2019s faith was the cornerstone of his life. It guided him through both joyful times and challenges and shaped the kindness and compassion he showed to others around him. He was a member of St Joseph\u2019s Catholic Church in Elkader, actively participating in several roles and on several committees throughout the years.<\/p>\n
Roger is survived by his children, Stanley of Palo, Suzanne (Pat) Hyde of Coralville, William (Lisa) of Huntington Beach, CA, Nancy (Tom) Healy of Elkader, and Daniel (Kris) of Van Meter; nine grandchildren, Ryan (Emily) Hyde, Amanda (Stuart) Kunkel, Tyler Koster, Andrew (Abbey) Healy, Danielle (Mitch) Hankey, Elizabeth Healy, Bryon Koster, Owen Koster and Benjamin Koster; nine great-grandchildren and one on the way; one sister, Maxine Heinrichs of Glencoe, MN; sister-in-law Lucy Wolterman of Jefferson, IA; and many nieces & nephews.<\/p>\n
Roger was preceded in death by his parents William & Matilda Koster;\u00a0 his wife, Darlene in 2014;\u00a0 Darlene\u2019s parents AJ and Elizabeth Wolterman; his siblings Bill (Loretta) Koster, Walter (Viola) Koster, Velma (Bob) Blum, Kermit (Elsie) Koster, Don (Dolores) Koster, Doyle (Bernice) Koster, Ruth (Cletus) Heinrichs, and LeRoy (Joanell) Koster; in-laws Marvin Heinrichs, Harold (Rita) Wolterman, Wilbur (Helen) Wolterman, Lester (Jean) Wolterman, Richard Wolterman, Elmer (Nelda) Wolterman, Joe Wolterman, Ray (Arlene) Wolterman, Marita (Arthur) Neppl, Bernice (Melvin) Steinkamp, and Mildred (Melvin & Jesse) McCoy.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Visitation<\/strong>: 9:00AM until 10:30AM, Thursday, November 14, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Elkader<\/p>\n Mass o<\/strong>f Christian Burial<\/strong>: 11:00AM also at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Elkader with\u00a0 Rev. John Haugen as Celebrant<\/p>\n