John H. Koster

John H. Koster, a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, passed away September 27, 2025, at the Kansas Soldiers' Home in Fort Dodge at the age of 76. The son of Jack and Ruth Koster,

John was a lifelong resident of Cawker City, KS, until moving to the Kansas Soldiers' Home at Fort Dodge, Kansas, in October 2024. He was born December 28 in Beloit, Kansas, attended St. Theresa's Academy through 8th grade, and graduated from Cawker City High School in 1967. He then attended North Central Kansas Vo-Tech School, Beloit, KS, earning his certificate in Farm Mechanics in 1968. In November of the same year, at the age of 19, John was inducted in the U.S. Army. After completing basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, John served in Viet Nam from Dec 2, 1969 to November 1, 1970. He valued this service highly and attained the rank of Private First Class. John was a member of the VFW and the American Legion and served in the honor guard for many years. After being discharged from the army, John spent over 40 years maintaining roads and doing equipment repairs & maintenance for both the Cawker City and Glen Elder Townships in Mitchell County. John also enjoyed being involved in small farming interests over the years.

John is survived by his partner Val Redinger, Cawker City, KS; two sisters: Marla (Allan) Fisher, Garden City, KS; Debbie (John) Thomas, Fowler, KS; 4 Nieces, Allison (Aaron) Douglass, Garden City; Emily (Richard) Burns, Owatana, MN; Lacey Fisher, Olathe, KS; Jacqueline Thomas, St Petersburg, FL; and 8 great nieces and nephews. His family remembers him enjoying riding horses, going fishing, gardening, supplying food and safe haven for stray animals, and working with machinery of all types. He especially enjoyed welding. John's love of animals remained his passion to the end.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Ruth Koster of Cawker City, KS, his youngest sister Brenda Jo (Jerry) Dean, Beloit; and nephew CJ Thomas, Fowler, KS.

His family would like to recognize the entire team at Kansas Soldiers' Home for the compassionate and professional care John received while a resident there.

Services will be held at a later date. Interment will be at Saints Peter & Paul Cemetery, Cawker City, KS. Memorial donations in his honor will be made to the Kansas Humane Society and the resident fund at the Kansas Soldiers' Home at Fort Dodge. Memorial donations can be sent to the family or Swaim Funeral Chapel, 1901 6th Ave, Dodge City, KS 6780. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.