ALEX J. KOSKOVICH

December 24, 1914 - October 31, 2009

Alexander (Alex) John Koskovich, age 94 of rural Sebeka, MN formerly of Park Rapids, MN, passed away peacefully with his loved ones at his side on October 31, 2009 at the home of his daughter near Nimrod, MN.
Alex was born on December 24, 1914 to Claude and Helen Koskovich in Petersburg, Nebraska. During the dust bowl years of the early 1930’s, he moved with his family to Blue Earth, MN where he worked hard in assisting them in surviving the hard times. Alex also gained employment with the Civilian Conservation Corps for a time. On April 9, 1938, Alex was united in marriage to Alice Mae Sasse. This union was blessed with a son, Allen and six daughters: Anna Mae, Ava, Amber, Ardys, Arlene, and Audrey. In 1936, Alex began working for the Blue Earth Canning Company, which later became the Green Giant Canning Company, in a career that spanned over 40 years. He was a hard and conscientious worker who rose in ranks to become the shop supervisor. In 1976, he retired from his fulfilling work with Green Giant. Not being able to sit idle, he began operating a Farmers Market where he sold the produce he nurtured from twenty-two different gardens. In 1980, he and Alice moved to Osage where he continued Truck Farming for several years. In 1992, he decided to retire and moved to Park Rapids where he continued actively gardening, raising many beautiful flowers. Alex took special pride in sharing the colorful splendor of his gardens with all who appreciated God’s Handiwork. His gardening skills and knowledge brought him much community acclaim as the local paper wrote several articles about his horticultural talents. In 2004, Alex and Alice moved to the Heritage Manor Assisted Living Center in Park Rapids, where this master gardener continued raising beautiful flowers and helped care for the grounds even in his late 80’s. In 2006, they moved to the Nimrod-Sebeka. MN area where they have resided with their daughter, Ardys and son-in-law, Dan right up until Alex went to be with the Lord. Alex was a member of the Riverside United Methodist Church in Park Rapids. Above all, he devoted his entire life to his precious wife, Alice, his children and his grandchildren who he loved with all his heart.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Alice of Sebeka, MN; his seven children: Allen (Maria) Koskovich of El Cajon, CA, Anna Mae (Douglas) Little of Dundas, MN, Ava (Robert) Williams of Nevis, MN, Amber (Kenneth) Stadler of Northfield, MN, Ardys (Dan) Sabin of Sebeka, MN, Arlene (Perry) Stenzel of Lakeville, MN and Audrey (Dan Lemke) Mahn of Northfield, MN; 23 grandchildren; 46 great grandchildren; eight great great grandchildren; three sisters and one brother; along with many nieces and nephews.
Alex was preceded in death by his parents and six brothers.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Thursday, November 5, 2009 at the Riverside United Methodist Church in Park Rapids with the Reverend Don Bird officiating. Special music will be provided by grandson, Brent Stenzel who will sing, “When I Get Where I’m Going” and by granddaughter-in-law, Maggie Sabin who will sing, “In The Garden”. The organist will be Linda Szuszitsky. Congregational hymns will be: “Blessed Assurance” and “Hymn of Promise”. As a special memorial to Alex the family will make daffodil bulbs available to everyone as they leave the church sanctuary. The graveside service will be held at the Greenwood Cemetery of Park Rapids, MN. Following the service, a luncheon will be hosted by the Riverside United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held at the church beginning one hour prior to the service.