Ruby Helm Kosters, 74, of Pierre was called home to heaven on Thursday Jan. 17, 2013, at Avera St. Mary's hospital in Pierre and has now joined the legions who walk with God. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21, at Isburg Funeral Chapel, followed by a prayer service at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be held Tuesday, Jan. 22, at 10 a.m. at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Pierre. Burial will be at 3 p.m. MST at Black Hills National Cemetery.
Ruby Gene Helm was born March 30, 1938, to Frieda Belle (Seiler) and Arthur Henry Helm at their farm northwest of Java. She attended country school through eighth grade and Java High School, graduating in 1956. Ruby attended business college for one year in Aberdeen and worked at the county courthouse, serving in the Treasurer's office.
On July 17, 1957, Ruby married the love of her life, Henry Garret (Hank) Kosters at Selby. They moved to Madison, where she worked for a time at the local bank, while Hank attended General Beadle State teacher's college. During this time, two daughters were born, Debra (1958) and Daria (1959). After Hank graduated from college, they spent two years at Fedora, five years at Roscoe, where three daughters, Donna (1962), Dianne (1964) and Dawn (1966) were born. Ruby lovingly supported Hank through a year of required residency at USD in Vermillion, where he earned his Doctoral degree. She moved with the family to Pierre for 13 years, where daughter Denise (1976) was born and in 1981, moved to New Underwood for three years, Rapid City for another three years and returned to Pierre, where she resided until the time of her death.
Ruby was preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Hank; six daughters: Debra (Marvin) Moor of Kadoka, Daria Hatlestad of Pierre, Donna (Dave) Needham of Rapid City, Dianne (Jim) Sorem of Dallas, Texas, Dawn VanSickle of Pierre and Denise Kosters of Sioux Falls; grandchildren: Matthew, Mitchell and Marcus Moor, Michael Hatlestad, Amanda and Bridget Doyle, Michael, Garrett (Christina) and Julie Sorem, and Shawn (Bridget) VanSickle; great-grandson, Jackson Garrett Sorem; future great-granddaughter, Ariyah; siblings: Janice (Morris) Kosters, Dwight (Yvonne) Helm, and Les (Audrey) Helm; and special step-grandchildren: LyRanda (Mike) Fuoss, Ty, Dylan and Ryan Fuoss; LuAnn Hatlestad, Anthony and Whitney Hatlestad, and Tom and Jeremy Needham; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Ruby was a constant source of comfort and lovingly supported the activities of her family. She served as a substitute teacher, was involved with her church's religious education programs and throughout her lifetime, she took college coursework from several South Dakota universities within her interest areas of Art and Special Education. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Ruby's hobbies included sewing (self-taught seamstress) clothing for her family, quilting, drawing and sketching, hand-crafts such as knitting, crocheting, and embroidering, decorating for holidays, traveling with Hank and the family, softball, bowling and golf and she was an avid Green Bay Packers fan.
Arrangements have been placed in care of Isburg Funeral Chapel.
Online condolences may be made at isburgfuneralchapels.com.