Lois I. (Hoffman) Kost

“ … people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did,

but people will never forget how you made them feel.”   Maya Angelou

Lois Kost, age 95, of Myrtle Beach passed peacefully in the early hours of Thursday, January 23, 2025. As a kind, compassionate, and loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, she will be remembered by how special she made people feel.  In serving God, Lois served all who crossed her path, with a kindness developed over years of service to others and a desire to be generous using  gentle and humble acts of kindness. From a young age, Lois worked on her family’s farm, learning to cook, clean, help raise her younger sister, care for the animals, and perform the many chores required to support her loving family. Lois was happiest when she was “doing” and giving 100 percent.  She told me that her family would be considered poor by today’s standard, but she never felt poor, even as she wore dresses made from potato sacks, sewn for her and her cousins by their grandmother.  Instead, she felt loved.

Lois pursued nursing education at the Northwestern Hospital School of Nursing in Minnesota, where she graduated as a registered nurse and focused on caring for others. Soon thereafter, she met the love of her life, John Kost, with whom she blazed trails as the silent and humble volunteer behind the scenes. Together they challenged norms, such as adopting five minority children, during a time in our country when it was not customary to do so. They forged a meaningful life filled with new experiences and challenges, while honoring God and serving so many with love and support. With John at the forefront, Lois dedicated many years to the Grand Strand Citizens for Life. With other citizens and church leaders, John and Lois served as the voice of the unborn child and assisted their mothers, the elderly, and the defenseless in promoting true respect for the dignity of life.

Lois Kost was predeceased by her husband John, to whom she was married for 71 years, and her sons, George (Pat) Kost and Michael (Brenda) Kost. She is survived by her children, Kathy (Tom) Cole, Dave Kost, and Susan (Tony) Antonelli, as well as nine grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. We will remember her gentle soul, easy smile and sweet disposition, as well as her gratitude for each day God gave to her on this earth. Regardless of losing her eyesight in her 80’s and the aches, pains and chronic illnesses of the elderly, she told me to never feel sorry for her because God gave her many years of good health for which she was grateful.

Lois’ funeral mass of the Christian burial will take place at St. Andrews Catholic Church on Friday, February 7, at 11:00 a.m., followed by a reception at the St. Andrew's Life Center.

The family will receive friends at McMillan Small Funeral Home on Thursday, February 6, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., with a Christian wake service beginning at 4:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Grand Strand Citizens for Life, P.O. Box 1952, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29598.

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