Sylvia Ruby Koski

Sylvia Ruby Jordan was born to Gustav and Else (Gollnast) Jordan at home near Lakefield, MN at midnight between January 26 and January 27, 1927. Her father Gust was asked to decide her birthday, so he picked the 27th as it was the year 1927. She weighed just 2 ½ pounds when she was born and was placed in a box on the open door of the oven to keep her warm as it was a cold winter. She was baptized February 20, 1927.

She lived in the Lakefield area until age 5 when the family of three moved to the Leaf Lakes area north of Henning. She was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Ottertail on April 6, 1941.

Sylvia spent her school years in District 185, Henning grade school, St. John’s parochial school in Ottertail and Henning High School through graduation in May 1946. In high school she participated in choir and basketball and was nicknamed “flash” Jordan. During her high school years, Sylvia lived and worked at Bondy’s Café and the Portland Hotel, in town, because of the distance to and from her home in winter.

Summers were spent working at the Leaf Lakes Ballroom, waitressing at Oak Lawn Resort and helping with many chores at home. In her spare time, she enjoyed swimming and going to movies.

In her teens, she met Clarence Koski on the beach at West Leaf Lake. On August 6, 1946 they were united in marriage at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Henning. To this union, 4 children were born: Eileen, Mark, Dale and Kurt.

After spending a few years in the Henning area, the family relocated to Minneapolis. At different times she was employed at Red Owl, Grand Central Store and Spartan-Atlantic. In those years she and Clarence were involved in their children’s activities, church activities, home remodeling and raised cocker spaniel puppies.

In 1967 they chose to move back to the Leaf Lakes area and built a home on Middle Leaf Lake. Over the next years, Sylvia was involved with family activities, bowling, fishing, Finn Creek, V.F.W. Auxiliary, Homemaker’s Club, the nursing home auxiliary (31 years) and as the Leaf Lake Township Historian.

She ran a small grocery/tavern/bait shop for several years at the lake along with Clarence and later worked at the Henning Coast to Coast Store.

Many trips were taken with Clarence to the west coast and Canada. She made two trips to Germany. The first with her parents in 1977 and the second with Clarence in 1990. Starting in 2002 through 2013 they spent part of their winters in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

In recent years she especially enjoyed playing bingo, working both crossword and board puzzles, reading and playing cards whenever she could. Sylvia will be remembered for her skilled whist playing, her hospitality in hosting family get-togethers and reunions and her extensive knowledge of Henning area history. She was a loving mother and always encouraged her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren in all they did.

She was preceded in death by her parents Gustav and Else Jordan; a stillborn sibling; her husband Clarence in 2015; and many extended relatives.

Left to mourn her passing are daughter: Eileen (LeRoy) Bachmann; sons: Mark (Jane) Koski, Dale (Kathy) Koski and Kurt Koski: 12 grandchildren: Christine, Michelle, Kimberly, Matthew, Justin, NaCole, Jacob, Clinton, Cody, Tyler, Jessica & Jennifer; 3 step-grandsons: Michael, Jason & Adam; 24 great-grandchildren; and one sister-in-law: Vivian Gaspar; along with many extended relatives and a host of friends.

She will be forever loved and dearly missed. Blessed be her name.

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