David Koster

David Paul Koster was born on February 19, 1937 in Drammen Township, Lincoln County, Minnesota to Leo and Esther (Trautman) Koster.  He was baptized and Confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Verdi Township.  He attended school in Lake Benton. While in high school he participated and lettered in football, basketball, and baseball.  He also sang in the high school choir and was crowned Homecoming King.  He graduated from Lake Benton public school in 1955 and continued his education at South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota (go Jacks!).  On June 6, 1960, Dave graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacology and became employed as a pharmacist at Vadheim Drug in Tyler, Minnesota.  On October 6, 1962, Dave married the love of his life, Elizabeth Schardin at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lake Benton.  The couple made their home in Tyler, where they raised their four children.  In 1982, Dave and Liz purchased Vadheim Drug and renamed it Koster Pharmacy.  In 2010, after more than 50 years serving the community of Tyler, the couple sold Koster Pharmacy to Thrifty White.  Dave continued to work as a relief pharmacist from 2010 to 2018 for Thrifty White, Olivia Drug, Siverson’s Pharmacy, and Shopko.  He officially retired in 2018 at the age of 81.  On February 23, 2023, Dave went to be with his Lord and Savior at the age of 86 years and 4 days.

Dave was an active member of both First English Lutheran Church in Tyler and First Lutheran Church in Marshall.  He served the community of Tyler in several capacities.  He was a Church Council President at First English as well as a member of the church choir.  He also served on the Tyler School Board, the Tyler Hospital Board, the Tyler Golf Club Board, and the Aebleskiver Committee. He was a member of the Tyler Lions Club and the Chamber of Commerce.  Dave also performed in many of the Lion Club plays.  He absolutely loved to golf and was instrumental in the development of building the new club house in the 1970’s. Because of his many years of service to the Tyler commmunity he had the honor of being named Grand Marshall in Tyler on two separate occasions. In Dave’s free time it brought him great joy to watch his children and grandchildren in their extra-curricular activities, as well as following the RTR Knights.

Dave’s memory is lovingly cherished by his wife, Elizabeth Koster of Marshall; children, James (Kelly) Koster of Little Chute, Wisconsin, Jacqueline (Kevin) Peterson of Ghent, Minnesota, Karin (Corey) Johnson of Hudson,  Wisconsin, and Kirstin (Dan) Marks of Marshall; grandchildren, Danika (James), Allie (Brock), Hunter (Sarah), Colton (SaLes), Alex (Paige), Tyler, Isaac, Sam, Maddie, Nicholas, and David; great-grandchildren, Anthony, Brantley, Oliver, and Reagan; and siblings, Dale (Sharon) Koster, Joel (Kathy) Koster, and Diann (Gene) Moon; sisters-in-law, Karen Koster and Carol Koster; and brother-in-law, Jerry Kuhn. As well as many aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Esther Koster; brothers, Les Koster and Byrl Koster; sister, Verna Kuhn; sister-in-law, Miriam Koster; nieces, Peggy Brockhouse, Christie Moon, and Kelli Koster; and cousin, James Koster.

Memorials may be given to the following organizations.  Please send them to Dave's family and they will forward them accordingly:

The RTR Booster Club in Tyler, Minnesota, or Prairie Home Hospice in Marshall, Minnesota.

To view a recording of Dave's funeral service please click the following link.  The video will be viewable within a few hours of the service's conclusion.

https://player.memoryshare.com/memoryshare/video/david-koster-8091787