Marsha Koster

Marsha Poppe Koster was born on June 3, 1955, in Marion, Kan. She died Feb. 27, 2022.

Marsha had many qualities. She first exhibited these skills as an athlete at Centre High School as she led the Cougars in their inaugural season to a second place finish in the IA state basketball tournament. She then took her talents to Kansas State University where she was a four-year letter winner on the Wildkittens basketball and track programs. She was one of the leading rebounders and scorers on the team and helped them to a sixth-place finish in the national tournament in 1975. In track she excelled in the javelin throw and finished fourth in the nation as a freshman and second in both her sophomore and junior years. Her senior year she was unable to participate because of an illness.

Marsha graduated from Kansas State with a degree in home economics and began her teaching career in Summerfield, Kan., and later substitute taught at Mankato and Clay Center. She obtained her degree in special

education in 2000. She began her new career as teacher at Blue Valley and Clay Center Community High School. She continued in this position until her retirement in 2021. In addition to her teaching position, Marsha also was involved in coaching at these schools.

One of Marsha’s passions was volleyball—watching and officiating the

sport. Marsha refereed volleyball for 40+ years and worked numerous state tournaments, as well as many other tournaments and matches during this time. Because of her knowledge and expertise, she was selected to be an area supervisor for the activities association in volleyball and worked in this capacity for more than 20 years.

Marsha was a seamstress and used her talents in a variety of ways. She enjoyed cross stitch and many of her projects are displayed around the house. She also crafted many different dolls and collectibles and sold these at area craft shows. In her later years, she began to quilt and was an active member of the local quilt guild.

Of all the roles in which Marsha participated, the one in which she was most proud, was that of being a wife, mother and later, a grandmother.

Marsha was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Erin; her father, Vernon, and her brother, Tom. She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Ron; her children, Jamie Koster of Clay Center, Kan.; Brett Koster of Chapman; Megan Griffiths of Wakefield, Kan.; her mother, Ruth Poppe of Clay Center, Kan.; a brother Wayne Poppe of Oklahoma City; a sister Janelle Poppe of Olathe.

Marsha was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Her funeral

was held at Sts. Peter and Paul on March 4. Burial was in the Cawker City cemetary.