Henry Francis Koza “Hank”, 83, of Crookston, Minnesota, passed away on Monday, May 13, 2024, at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND. Memorial services will be held on June 29, 2024, at the First Presbyterian Church, Crookston, MN. Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM followed by the memorial service beginning at 2:00 PM.
Henry Koza was born on October 10, 1940, in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He was the son of Henry J. Koza and Stella M. Koza. Hank graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1958. He was recognized by the Boston Globe in 1957 as the “Best 6th man in Basketball” as a junior. He graduated from Lowell State College in 1964, then again from Salem State College in 1970. He worked for the town of Ayer, MA from 1964 – 1967, the town of Wilmington from 1967 – 1969, and then the town of Chelmsford from 1969 – 2001. He was a teacher for 37 years. He taught grades 2nd – 6th. Hank taught 6th grade for a total of 32 years.
Hank loved sports, especially officiating basketball, teaching, and traveling here and abroad. He loved coaching Little League and Senior League because his three sons were on the team. He loved reading, playing mind games, and word games online, and last but not least teaching and playing cribbage at the Golden Link in Crookston.
Hank married Patricia (O’Boyle) Koza on December 26, 2001, at the First Presbyterian Church, Crookston. Hank was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Crookston, St. Augustine’s Church in Lawrence, MA, and Immaculate Conception Church in Lowell, MA. He was also on the International Association approved Basketball Officials (IAABO) Board in MA for 18 years. Hank loved his time with the Golden Link and was very happy among the friends that he met there.
Hank is survived by his sons Stephen (Julie) Koza of Windham, NH, Sean Koza of Pepperell, MA, Kevin (Carrie) Larson of Crookston, MN, Colleen (Gary) Hall of Litchfield, MN, and Heather (Shane) Snesrud of Elysian, MN. He had several grandchildren: Stephen E. Koza Jr., Adam Koza, Morgan Koza, Matthew Koza, and Christopher Koza, Caila (David) Still, Justin (Hayley) Larson, Taylor Larson, Aston (Jacob) Sylvester, Zach (Sara Skogseth) Hall, Alex Hall, Brittani Clemens, Aidan, Molly, Brendan, Cale, and Clara Snesrud. As well as eleven great-grandchildren. Hank was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and his son Michael Koza. In lieu of flowers, Hank requested that you donate to one of the following charities: Tunnels two Towers (T2T.org), Hospice, and/or the Golden Link of Crookston.
Funeral Home: Stenshoel-Houske Funeral and Cremation Service, 615 S. Minnesota Street, Crookston, MN 56716. Visitation is Saturday, June 29, 2024, from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM. Service on Saturday, June 29th, at 2:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church 510 N. Broadway, Crookston, MN.
