1-888-579-7953 Code: 74804P

DENNIS "FRED" KOSKI

Dennis "Fred" Koski, 69, of Britt, passed into the gates of heaven at St Mary's Hospital in Duluth, Sunday, November 10, 2013, after a 17-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

He was born October 6, 1944, in Virginia, MN, the son of Arnold and Elsie (Welander) Koski and attended school in Virginia. Dennis joined the Army National Guard in 1965 and served for 9 years. He was employed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation as a Senior Highway Technician for over 39 years before retiring in 2003. He spent most of his retirement years traveling and building a beautiful seasonal home on Lake Vermilion that his family will continue to enjoy.

He was a member of First Covenant Church of Virginia and was active in working with Habitat for Humanity which included working on several homes in the past couple of years. Among his many skills were carpentry, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, photography and the list goes on. His love of nature was shared with whoever was around him. He had a curious mind and was a natural teacher. He was a collector and his greatest passions were collecting agates and moose horns. He loved the outdoors and his chain saw and continued to cut and split firewood to heat his home in spite of his illness. Dennis loved the outdoors and especially fishing and hunting. This spring he hooked the two of the biggest walleyes he ever caught.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Shirley, of nearly 47 years, daughter, Lynette (Scott) Owens of Layton, Utah, son, Brian (Tricia) Koski, of Andover, MN; grandchildren, Brenden Clark (US Army, San Antonio), Gunnar Koski and Grace Koski (Andover MN), and Krysta Owens (Layton UT): sister, Marcie (Don Walker) Speer, brothers; Arthur Koski, Wendell Koski, Kurt Koski, and Jay (Val) Koski, all from the local area; nephews, cousins, extended family and his dog, Max.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Randy.

A Gathering time for family and friends will be held Saturday, November 16, 2013 from 12 Noon until the 1:00 p.m. Memorial Service at First Covenant Church in Virginia. Dennis's pastor and friend, Rev. Roger Johnson, will officiate. A private family gathering time will begin at 11am.

Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.

Family services are provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia. To share condolences online, please see www.baumanfuneralhome.com.

Facts

Born: October 6, 1944
Place of Birth: Virginia, MN
Death: November 10, 2013
Place of Death: Duluth, MN
Occupation: Senior Highway Technician for MNDOT
Hobbies: Loved outdoor activities
Organizations: First Covenant Church and Habitat for Humanity

Services Private Family Gathering

11:00 a.m. at First Covenant Church

Saturday November 16, 2013 , 12 Noon - 1:00 p.m. at First Covenant Church

Saturday November 16, 2013 , 1:00 p.m. at First Covenant Church