HANS KOSTER

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

HANS KOSTER June 9, 1922 - October 16, 2009 Peacefully, on Friday, October 16, 2009, with his daughter at his side, Hans Koster, aged 87 years of Selkirk passed away. Hans is survived by his son Brian, granddaughter Terena and great-granddaughter Haily, all of British Columbia, and his daughter Erica (Kirt) Marchuk, granddaughters, Rachel and Robin, and his sister Annemarie of Germany. Hans was predeceased by his wife Rudolfina in 1997, his parents, and his brother Heine. Hans was born in Bremen, Germany and immigrated to Canada in 1953. He settled in Selkirk and a baker by trade, he started his baking career with Browns Bread Bakery in Selkirk. It was shortly after that he met and married Rudolfina in 1957. He worked at Browns until they shut their doors for good, then he worked at Weston Bread in Winnipeg, until retiring. Hans loved to travel, garden and play the stock market. Hans would take his family on a summer vacation every year and after retiring, he and Rudy spent many winters in Lake Chapala, Mexico. After Rudy passed away in 1997, he would spend winters in Victoria and visit his son in Nakusp. Together they enjoyed the hot springs, and helicopter rides over the mountains. Hans was able to do this until last winter when his health began to falter. He also traveled to Disneyland with Erica, Kirt, Rachel and Robin, and to Cuba with his son, Brian. When he was home, Hans loved to garden and had a garden in his backyard, as well as on Calder Road. It was there among the trees and many different fruits and vegetables he grew that he started his famous asparagus field, which is still growing today. Hans had employed many local kids to pick the crop at 6:00 a.m., and he'd pick up the asparagus on his way home from work at Weston. He would then package and deliver his asparagus to all his regular customers. His daughter now tends to the crop and Hans still enjoyed delivering it to all his regulars. Hans was not one to sit at home and was often out having coffee or visiting with friends, whether here at home, or while traveling. The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the Chemo Department of the Selkirk General Hospital for their care and concern, and to Selkirk Palliative Care for all of their help and honouring Hans' desire to remain in his home. Thank you to all of Hans' friends who visited with him during his final days, and a special thank you to Roxy and Art for visiting frequently. Cremation has taken place and a celebration of Hans' life will be held on Wednesday, October 21 at 7:00 p.m. at the Gilbart Funeral Home, 309 Eveline St. in Selkirk. A private service will be held at a later date regarding the interment of his ashes. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Selkirk Palliative Care. Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 20, 2009