PIERRE, SD –

Henry (Hank) Garret Kosters age 91 of Pierre, SD was called home to heaven on October 17, 2023. He was surrounded by loved ones and now joins the legions that walk with God, our Creator Trinity. A visitation will be held from 5:00pm-7:00pm on Monday, October 23 at Isburg Funeral Chapel in Pierre followed by a prayer service at 7:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00am on Tuesday, October 24 at Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Pierre with burial at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD. His services will be live streamed on this obituary page the day of the services.

Hank was born to Henry Jacob (Sr.) and Mary (Kormendy-Horvath) Kosters in a rural Java, SD “soddy” on Sept. 24, 1932, the eldest son of seven children. Hank’s parents and immigrant grandparents were hardworking farmers in the Java/Selby area. After losing Florence to scarlet fever and his parents’ loss of the family farm during the Great Depression, the family moved to Illinois to be near relatives.

Hank’s early school years included time in public and parochial schools in several Illinois towns and working several odd jobs to help support his family, including a golf caddy and clerking at Grille’s Hardware Store in Midlothian, Illinois. Summers took him back to South Dakota to assist with haying and other farming chores for extended family.

After Hank’s graduation from Harvey Township High School in 1950, the family moved back to Selby where the family opened Kosters & Sons Implement shop. Along with his dad and brothers, Morris and Gene, Hank assisted as parts-man and mechanic in the shop. Drafted into the Army for the Korean War, he volunteered for the Navy instead, taking basic training at Great Lakes Training Center in Illinois. In 1952 Hank was sent overseas, working as Engineman on a minesweeper. After serving two years in the Pacific, he was transferred to the Atlantic coast, serving the rest of his assignment there and was honorably discharged in 1956.

Returning to Selby, South Dakota after discharge, Hank attended General Beadle State College (now Dakota State University), in Madison SD. While attending college, he married the love of his life, Ruby Helm of Java, SD on July 17, 1957. Hank graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1960 and began his first job at Fedora, SD teaching high school math, science, and performing guidance counselor duties. While in Fedora, he continued his education at SDSU in Brookings, SD, and served in the National Guard.

Hank’s family moved to Roscoe, SD in 1962 where he taught all high school Math, Science, Shop class, Driver’s ED and Social Science. While at Roscoe, Hank was an active member of the VFW and American Legion, serving as Adjutant from 1962 to 1967. In 1963, he completed coursework, for a master’s degree in education at Northern State College (now NSU) in Aberdeen, SD and shortly afterward, Hank was assigned the administrative position of school-wide principal, and later superintendent at Roscoe.

In 1967, Hank and Ruby moved their family to Vermillion, where he completed the final year of his doctoral program, graduating in 1968 with a Doctorate of Education degree. Hank then accepted a position with the SD Dept. of Education in Pierre as Associate Superintendent. In 1981, Hank accepted the Assistant Superintendent position for the Douglas School District and later returned to Pierre in 1987 after Governor George S. Mickelson asked him to become South Dakota’s State Superintendent of Education. Hank served in this position from 1987 to 1991 and was the last person to serve in that position.

In 1992 Hank assumed the position of Director of Leadership Development for the Associated School Boards of South Dakota (ASBSD). Hank retired from ASBSD in 2010 after serving South Dakota’s citizens for 51 years.

In retirement, Hank continued serving in caring and quiet but significant ways. He was involved with activities at church, served as an Oahe, Inc. board member, acted as a legislative liaison for AARP retirees and the Retired Teachers’ Association, and continued VFW and American Legion support. His life’s work of service to others was a true gift of love for the home, family and people he loved.

Hank enjoyed relaxing with music. He took accordion lessons as a youngster and was a self-taught guitar player – which he played throughout his lifetime. He had a gift for mechanics and carpentry; building, making or fixing most anything needed and mentored many youngsters in and out of school. Hank enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, hunting, swimming, and camping with family. He especially loved visiting with family and friends; traveling extensively throughout SD and beyond to contact family, relatives, Navy buddies, and visit school district personnel. He loved God, Family & Friends and Country.

Hank is survived by his six daughters, Debra (Marv) Moor, Daria Hatlestad, Donna (Dave) Needham, Dianne (Jim) Sorem, Dawn VanSickle and Denise Kosters; sisters Betty Schleuter and Carol (Dareld) Badure, brother Ed Kosters, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by Ruby, his beloved wife of 55 years, his parents Henry Sr. and Mary Kosters, sister Florence, brothers Morris (Janice) and Gene Kosters, and grandson Mike Hatlestad.

“Well done, good and faithful servant!…” – Matthew: 25:21

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