Maria A. Koos

Koos, Maria A. CROSS PLAINS-Maria Antonia Koos, age 88, passed away on August 18, 2010 at Heartland nursing home, Black Earth, Wisconsin. She was born on July 28, 1922 in Lich, Germany, the daughter of Maria Margareta Volker and Georg Maidhof, Braumeister for Licher Bier. In 1955, she married George Richard (Dick) Koos. Shortly after their marriage they decided to leave post World War II Germany, their friends and family to make a new life for themselves in North America, traveling by ship to Montreal, settling in Winnipeg, Canada. In 1956, twin daughters Mary Anne and Simone were born. Winnipeg winters are very cold, and Dane County, WI, with its strong German network, was much more like home. At the urging of close friends who had moved to Madison, Maria and Dick moved to Wisconsin in 1957. Once in Madison they welcomed a son Ralph and started their own full service gas station and repair shop, Dicks Sinclair. Maria and Dick built their business through hard work, perseverance and good old fashion determination. Dick could fix anything, and solve just about any problem a customer had. Maria managed the business and took care of the kids which now included another daughter, Susan. Maria was well known for her amazing meals, creating soups, roasts and baked goods that delighted everyone who ate at her table. No one ever left her house hungry and there usually were ample amounts of goodies to take home when you left. She planted a garden every year until she was in her late seventies, raising her own vegetables, canning freezing and making the only pickles Dick would ever eat. Beekeeping was a passion that Maria brought with her from Germany where she kept bees with her friend the Princess Frederica. She had several hives that she lovingly took care of. When her arthritis would act up she would often work on her hives without protection on her arms so the bee would sting her. Their venom would help ease the pain in her elbow and hands. But even with her arthritis, she still extracting each honey laden frame by hand, bottled and sold it to local stores and giving it as gifts to many appreciative friends. Maria enjoyed knitting and crocheting, making many beautiful pieces for her family and friends. She took classes through the MATC for many years to meeting other women who enjoyed the same hobby. She would bring to class patterns she created on brown paper grocery bags amazing her friends with her creativity and ingenuity. Her beautiful blankets will keep her grandchildren warm for years to come. Germany was always close to Marias heart, thanks to the everlasting friendships she nurtured over the years. Some of the Maria and Dicks favorite places to take their guests were the Merrimac Ferry, Devils Lake, Mississippi River, and House on the Rock. Maria was preceded in death by her husband George Richard Koos, who passed away February 18 of this year and her daughter Simone Koos, who passed away December, 2003. She is survived by her sister Marianna Moller in Krefeld, Germany, and her children Mary Anne Koos (Will Abberger), Tallahassee FL, Ralph Koos (Elizabeth), Elburn IL, Susan Koos Acker (Carl), Cross Plains, WI and her grandchildren Anna Koos Dodson (Steve), Erica Koos (friend Zach Walgenbach), Rolf Koos, Ethan Gibbs, Hayden Acker and Amelia Acker. A celebration of Marias life will be held at HOLY WISDOM MONASTERY, 4200 County Road M, Middleton at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2010. Service: A celebration of Maria's life will be held at HOLY WISDOM MONASTERY, 4200 County Road M, Middleton at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2010.