Victor Kosty

Visitation: Monday, May 17, 2004 at the Chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City

Funeral Service: Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at 3:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church in Miles City

Interment: will follow in the family lot of the Custer County Cemetery

Victor Kosty, age 87, of Miles City passed away in Billings, MT on May 14, 2004.Vic was born in Miles City, the fourth of eight children to John and Mary (Trian) Kosty, Greek-Macedonian immigrants. He led a full and prosperous life as a farmer, grocer, County Commissioner, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend to all.As a young child Vic chose to support his mother and family due to the untimely death of his father. He worked many jobs throughout southeastern Montana raising and selling produce from his truck farm and winning the hearts of many old-timers. As time went on he worked as a butcher and produce manager in the grocery business in the old Trading Post and Haleys.Vic fell in love with Jean Stoner and were happily married for 47 years until Jeans untimely death in 1988. Together they had 5 children, bought and sold farms, and eventually landed on the Eichorn property south of Miles City. Trying to make a living on the farm was tough and they eventually bought and ran the Bean Bag grocery for 22 years. Based on his knowledge of the area and the old-timers, Vic was asked to serve as County Commissioner eventually serving multiple terms at the local and state levels as a public servant.

Vic and Jean eventually sold the store and their farm to become Arizona snowbirds. Over the next decade they enjoyed traveling extensively and visiting their children and grandchildren.Vic was re-married in 1993 to Alex Magnuson, who along with her late husband Harold, was a long-time family friend of the Kostys. The union of Vic and Alex brought joy to the Kosty and Magnuson families with memories of many holidays and other gatherings which included both families. During their eleven years of marriage they spent many happy years traveling and visiting family and friends.

Vic was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Johnna and Georgia, brothers Chris and Ernie, wife Jean and daughter Sue.

He is survived by wife Alex, sisters Katherine Kalianov, Emma Zawada, Eva Henley, sister-in-law Thelma Kosty, children Kurt and his wife Jill Kosty, Doug and his wife Cindy Kosty , Clark and his wife Mary Kosty, Norma Jean and her husband Bob Brown, son-in-law Chuck Rude, Stepdaughters Sharon and her husband Orrin Ferris and Linda and her husband Vern Erlenbusch, sixteen grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Pallbearers are Kurt, Doug and Clark Kosty, Bob Brown, Chuck Rude, Orrin Ferris and Vern Erlenbusch. All of Vics family and friends are considered honorary pallbearers.

Visitation will be held on Monday, May 17, 2004 at the Chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at 3:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church in Miles City. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Custer County Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church; 1401 Main, Miles City, MT 59301 or to the charity of one's choice.