Sister Lucy Coster

Sister Lucy Coster, age 100, a member of the Sisters of the Presentation, Fargo, died February 24, 2004, in the infirmary at Sacred Heart Convent, Fargo. Sister Lucy was born in Attica, IL, on August 2, 1903, one of a second set of twins born to Theophil and Mary Coster. Mary and Minnie were the first twins, Emil and Emily, as Sr. Lucy was named, followed and they had four younger brothers and sisters - John, Florence, Louise, and Charles. Sr. Lucy?s parents came from Holland in the 1890s and eventually settled in the Red River Valley on the banks of the Sheyenne River on land that is now in the city of West Fargo. In the early 1900s when Sr. Lucy was growing up, the children helped with the work on the farm and attended school in the winter months. When she was 18, she lived with a family and cared for their two children before beginning work at the rectory of St. Mary?s Cathedral in Fargo. Sister Lucy entered the Order of the Presentation Sisters at Sacred Heart Convent in 1925 and made her first Profession of Vows in 1928. She celebrated her Golden Jubilee of 50 years as a professed religious in 1978, and her Diamond Jubilee of 75 years in 2003. Sister Lucy worked in food preparation for 35 years at Sacred Heart Convent, St. John?s Orphanage, and at the Bishop?s Residence, all in Fargo, and in facilities in Langdon, New Rockford, and Carrington, ND. She then worked as the laundress at the Convent and at Riverview Place for another 35 years. After her retirement from active ministry, Sister spent her time in long hours of prayer and in the creation of beautiful afghans and tatted crosses, many of which she donated to St. Ansgar?s Hospital in Park River and to Cardinal Muench Seminary. Sister Lucy is survived by the members of her religious community, her brother Charles in the state of Washington, her sister Louise Goulet in the state of Arizona, nephews Richard and George Coster and Robert and Jerry Kritzer, and nieces Virginia Quiggle and Delores Kritzer. She was preceded in death by her father and mother, brothers Emil and John, and sisters Mary (Sr. Annunciata), Minnie Matthys and Florence Kritzer. Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 25, from 4-8 p.m. at Sacred Heart Convent Chapel with a prayer service at 7 p.m. The funeral will be Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Convent. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Presentation Sisters Foundation. Arrangements by Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo.