Remembering Kim Koski, Fremont’s Parks and Recreation Director

Photo Courtesy: Moser Memorial Chapel 
FREMONT – Qualities that were most often shared in reminiscing about Kim Koski were that she was a radiant individual who cared deeply about everyone and the city of Fremont.
The Fremont Parks and Recreation Director had just received her 25 years of service award from the city and former mayor, Scott Getzschman, in November before passing at the age of 50 on January 2nd.
Not only was Koski a dedicated city employee, but Fremont has also been the place she has called home for most of her life.
Born and raised in Fremont to parents Larry and Sandra Koski, Koski was a graduate of Fremont Senior High School in 1988. Koski then moved to play softball for Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri before graduating in 1992.
After spending the summer after graduation as a camp counselor at Camp Tapawingo in Maine, Koski came back to Fremont and started working for the city as the recreation program coordinator.
Koski was promoted in 2005 to recreation superintendent and then became the parks and recreation director in 2016.
“In 25 years, Kim shepherded most of all of the things we do today in parks and recreation. She had a long, long history. She interned for us in college and never left. She went straight from an intern to a paid position. The city is what she dedicated her life to,” said City Administrator Brian Newton.
Some of Koski’s biggest accomplishments while working in the parks and recreation department included supervising the building of the Fremont Splash Station and most recently, the extensive remodeling project at the Fremont City Auditorium.
Newton described her personality as a positive light to all who came into contact with her.
“What a bubbly, wonderful person she was. She will be sorely missed by everyone at the city,” said Newton.
Koski was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Fremont and the Nebraska Parks & Recreation Association. She had a great love for her family especially her niece, Emily, and nephew, Ryan. She attended most, if not all of their activities, treated them as they were her own children and they were her “WHY”.
City councilmember, Mark Jensen, said that although he only knew Koski for two years, he feels “richer for having known her”.
“She had a widespread, deep connection with so many people in the community. She would come into the office and put a smile on everyone’s face, make conversation with each of us, and often, would treat us to pans of her mom’s cinnamon rolls. Which were delicious,” said Jensen.
Jensen recalled that her work ethic and dedication helped make his job easy.
“She always had her ducks in a row. She knew what she wanted to get accomplished within the parks and recreation department and how to get there. That made the city council meetings run smoother and were a huge help to the city,” said Jensen.
Moving forward, Jensen said that the parks and recreation board has some big shoes to fill, but he is confident.
“She placed excellent people on the board with her, and I know that the parks and rec. department is in good hands, but she will be missed and her legacy will have a significant impact on how the board moves forward,” said Jensen.
Memorial Mass will be at 10:30 am, Thursday, January 7, 2021, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Fremont. Masks will be required.
Memorial Visitation is from 5-8 pm, Wednesday, with the family receiving friends from 6-8 pm at Moser Memorial Chapel in Fremont. Interment will follow Mass at Memorial Cemetery in Fremont.
A memorial will be established in Kim’s name. Online condolence may be left at www.mosermemorialchapels.com.