Obituary of Gary Koster

Gary Koster, 77, from Parkston, passed away on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at Avera St. Benedict Assisted Living. A Funeral Mass is scheduled for Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at 10:30 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Parkston. Prior to the Mass, visitation will be held for one hour. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Parkston. The arrangements are being handled by Koehn Bros. Funeral Home in Parkston.

Born on September 14, 1946, to Clarence and Gladys (Boehmer) Koster, Gary attended Sacred Heart Catholic School during his formative years. He dedicated himself to working on his family farm alongside his parents until their retirement in 1980, after which they relocated to Parkston.

Gary took pride in his membership with the Knights of Columbus and found joy in playing games, particularly indulging in Farkle, and putting together puzzles. He enjoyed time on his iPad and computer and known affectionately as the "can-man" in Parkston, he would walk from Parkston to Dimock along highway 37 and pick up cans. He also went to most of the baseball games in the summer so he could collect the aluminum cans from the people attending the games. Gary was proud of the fact that over the years he collected and sold enough cans to buy a new stove, a new refrigerator and many other things.  He was a very social guy who was always excited to talk to people and let them know what goods things he had done with people's trash or anything else he could strike up a conversation about. 

Gary is survived by his sister, Linda (Randy) Kamp of Oklahoma, along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Diane Breck, and two brothers, Roger Koster and Dennis Koster.