William “Bill” Edward Koski
Friday, May 24, 1940
Date of Death:
Tuesday, October 1, 2019
Age:
79 years old
Friday, May 24, 1940
Date of Death:
Tuesday, October 1, 2019
Age:
79 years old
Friday, May 24, 1940
Date of Death:
Tuesday, October 1, 2019
Age:
79 years old
William “Bill” Edward Koski
William (Bill) Edward Koski, 79, died peacefully on October 1, 2019 at Cottagewood Senior Communities in Rochester, MN.
Bill was born on May 24, 1940 in Little Fork, MN to William and Regina (Vollrath) Koski. He was raised in International Falls, MN, where he met his wife, Betty Lou Dunham, in high school. They were married on June 16, 1962 during Bill’s two-week leave from the Army Reserves. Bill and Betty made their home and raised their family in Golden Valley, MN, where they lived in the same home for 37 years until moving to Stewartville, MN in 2005. They enjoyed 12 winters in Casa Grande, AZ until Betty’s death in 2016. Bill’s final three years were spent in Rochester fighting Alzheimer’s.
After two years at University of Minnesota Duluth, Bill started his career at General Mills, where he worked for 40 years as a food scientist creating some of their most iconic products: sugarless gum, granola bars, Bisquick baking pouches (pancakes, muffins, brownies), and was on the team that created Old Country Buffet’s chocolate lava cake, and Red Lobster’s amazing cheddar biscuits. He retired being known as “Mr.Bisquick.” His family fondly remembers being taste-testers for all kinds of cereals, snacks, blueberry muffins, and biscuits. Holidays found him making family favorites at home – lefse and Swedish meatballs – each year.
Bill is remembered as a loyal, kind, and patient man whose face lit up when welcoming a loved one. He was a faith-filled follower of Jesus, sharing his faith by serving, and generously gave of his time and resources throughout his life. Bill spent many years participating and leading various councils, boards, and foundations ranging from church, foster care, and their townhome association. He provided for his family, and spent his free time solving problems, tinkering to fix things, remodeling their Golden Valley home, and was on the ready as a baby-sitter for his grandkids. Bill was always prepared, never without a pen and pocketknife wherever he went. Their 12 winters in Arizona found him enjoying water volleyball, hiking, swimming, and playing cards and dominoes during happy hour with special friends. Bill was proud of his Finnish heritage and International Falls upbringing.
Bill is survived his son David (Paula) Koski, of Golden Valley, MN; daughter Karyn (Greg) Hintermeister of Rochester, MN; seven grandchildren, Nathan (Heidi) Koski, Eleanor (Michael) Migneault, and Kaylynn Koski; Cole, Julia, Renna and Jack Hintermeister, and great-grandchildren, Evangeline and Levi Migneault. He is also survived by brother Paul (Cathy) Koski, and six wonderful nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and beloved wife, Betty Lou.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, November 9th at 11am at Macken Funeral Home River Park Chapel in Rochester, MN. Visitation will be one hour before the service, and a luncheon of his favorite foods will follow (Red Lobster cheddar biscuits will be served!)
Condolences
The family of William “Bill” Edward Koski has received the following condolences.
It has been a few years since we attended Vision of Glory Lutheran Church in Plymouth, MN. together. But you don't forget special people like Bill and Betty
We have many fond memories. They were so caring of others and demonstrated a strong faith in all their interactions.
We pray God's peace for the family. May happy memories sustain you.
Rod and Jan Hillstrom
With Deepest Sympathy - Prayers for Family and Friends. May our Lord comfort you during this time of loss.
How can I describe a colleague who was a friend to everyone at General Mills/JFB for so many years. I came to JFB in 1988 and had many interactions with Bill throughout my career (retired in 2000); I served the departments as secretary -- Gold Medal, Foodservice. Bill was kind, caring, knowledgeable, and highly regarded for his technical skills. Bill's Christian faith was at the core of his personality and values. My sympathies to Bill and Betty's family but please know that he will live on in you and in our memories too.
Betty Kendall
May God's peace replace your heartache with warm loving memories..He was a good man and we appreciated him.
We just met Bill with his wife Betty in 1977, they met us at the airport in Minneapolis, we arrived with our five children, David was doing a teacher exchange with Bills next door neighbours, from that day on, Bill and Betty took us all under their wings, I feel I have to include Betty, because they were both the kindest most protective couple we have ever met, Bill was as always smile, we could hear him calling for Stacey their beloved dog, Bill adored Betty and his two adorable children Lady I and David, Bill was always happy, always willing to help, often without asking, Bill, would anything for anybody, you could say he was sent from God, almost Perfect, Bill is now with his beloved Betty, they adored each other, Bill was a ok ways very attentive to his family and to others,as was Betty, We as a family will Never forget their kindnes, they will always be in our h??earts,
Our sincere condolences. We remember Bill and Betty fondly. We had a tradition of a dinner together during the AACC national convention every year. Wearing serapes outside seated at the river in San Antonio or whacking crabs in Baltimore for dinner. He was a kind and patient man and the world will miss him. God bless you.
our condolences to the family. We knew Bill and Betty as neighbours on the same street in Palm Creek RV park in Casa Grande. Great neighbours, who we shared many happy times at the many get togethers in the park.