Maria Estella Koster

Maria Estella Koster was born in February, 1928 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. Her parents were Emil and Carmen Garfield. Her father worked for Sante Fe Railroad and she grew up in small railroad towns in north-western Arizona. She graduated from 8th grade from a one room schoolhouse in Salome, Arizona. The family moved to Wickenburg, Arizona so she and her brothers could attend high school there. After she graduated from high school, she received a scholarship for business school in Phoenix, Arizona and became a bookkeeper. She met her husband, Charles Koster, at that time. They married February 28, 1953. She soon moved with Charles to Norman, Oklahoma, so he could finish his college degree and then moved back to Phoenix, Arizona where she lived for the remainder of her life. Charles passed away in August, 2019.

Estella is survived by her children, Susan (Gordon) Holiday, Daniel Koster, David (Sandy) Koster, Steven Koster, and her brother Ernest (Betty) Garfield. She is also survived by 7 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, 2 nephews and 2 nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Charles, and her brother Eugene (MaryLou).

Estella was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend to those she met. She was also a proficient bookkeeper and front office person for her and her husband’s business. She consistently supported charity, and was a lifelong member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha Sorority. She will be missed by relatives and friends. A private memorial service will be held on Friday, June 10, 2022 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home in Phoenix Arizona.