Phyllis Marie Koster died on Easter Sunday, April 17, at Grand Village Assisted Living in Grandville. She was 90.
She was born Feb. 1, 1932, to Dr. Arthur and Ruby Larson. She married James Koster in Wayland in 1954 after attending Wheaton College in Illinois for two years. They had three children.
Phyllis worked as a dental assistant in her father’s dental office until he retired after 57 years. She was a charter member of Wayland Calvary Church, where she was active in the choir and the Women’s Society Group. She was an avid gardener and always had a beautiful yard.
In 2006, she moved to Byron Center, where she enjoyed many days of golfing with friends. She spent her winters in Venice, Fla., where the weather was warm and she could take her daily walk.
She is survived by her children Leslie (Denny) Guernsey of Traverse City, Mark Koster of Grandville and John Koster of Wyoming; sisters Dorothy DeWeerd of Wayland, Marian Floyd of San Luis Obispo, Calif.; and brother, Dr. Bruce (Marlene) Larson of Los Angeles. She has five grandchildren Blair (Korry) Hogan of Golden, Colo., Gavin Guernsey of Charleston, SC, Justin (Bailey) Koster of Wyoming, Jaimie (Greg) Reynolds of Evart, Samantha Koster of Byron Center, and five great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James Koster, on March 11, 1999.
A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Monday, April 25, at Kubiak-Cook Funeral Home (Wayland Chapel), 312 N. Main St., with visitation to follow from 2 to 5 p.m. Phyllis will be laid to rest at Elmwood Cemetery next to James.
In memory of Phyllis and in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Calvary Church of Wayland – Mission Fund.
It wasn’t recounted in her obituary, but Phyllis also served many years on the Henika District Library Board of Directors. She was an avid reader, and was one of the kindest and warmest women I’ve known. She had a marvelous sense of humor and a truly beautiful smile.
Phyllis was part of the library board that hired me back in 1985, and I truly appreciated her friendship and encouragement during those early years.
I was so sorry to read of her death this morning. My heartfelt sympathies go out to her family, who I am sure treasured her for the wonderful person she was.