Elizabeth Rosa Koster, age 100, died on Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at the Logan County Manor in Oakley. She was born June 12, 1916 on the farm north of Studley to Leote Peter and Mary Ann (Treu) Ponath. She developed a work ethic "early on," doing farm chores, milking cows, hauling wheat, gathering eggs, cleaning "the darn chicken house", canning various fruits and vegetables, etc. She was a country girl; "times were hard and there was a lot of hard work."

Elizabeth graduated from Sheridan Community High School, attended Normal School in Hays, and then taught in "one room school houses" for 5 years. She taught 1st grade through 8th grade, with 15 to 20 students. She enjoyed the kids; teaching was fun and rewarding to her.

Elizabeth married Edward J. Koster on July 24, 1940 at Leoville. They moved to Ellsworth, where Ed worked at a funeral home for 8 years. They returned to Hoxie in 1948, and owned and managed a Firestone store; selling tires, appliances, and many other retail items for the next 20 years. Ed and Elizabeth purchased the funeral home in Oakley from Don Hall in 1968. They continued to operate Koster Funeral Home until 1996. Elizabeth was an assistant funeral director and co-owner of the business, doing funeral home duties, meeting with families, helped make arrangements, and planned funeral services.

Elizabeth was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Altar Society, Goldenrod Club, Red Hat Ladies Club, and enjoyed playing cards at the Oakley Country Club. She has been described as a social butterfly who enjoyed visiting with people and in her younger days, enjoyed dancing.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ed, and her sister Alice Jackson and husband Buck.

Survivors include many nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 a.m. Monday, September 26, 2016 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Oakley, with Fr. Donald Pfannenstiel officiating. Interment followed in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Visitation held on Sunday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, with a rosary/wake service at 7:00 p.m. Memorials to St. Joseph's Church and St. Joseph Cemetery Fund may be sent in care of Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, P.O. Box 221, Oakley 67748.

Sign the online Guest Book at www.kennedykosterfh.com.