Our Kost Family originated in Nome, Alaska when John Kost Sr. married Gertrude Buck (Maiden Name: Uligak). Gertrude was originally from Unalakleet and John was originally from Thebes in Greece.

Together they had the following surviving children: John, Dolly, Sophia, Louis, George, and Mary. Kristine and Katherine died when they were young. Henry died as a young adult by drowning.

Gertrude also had children from her previous marriage to Mr. Buck (first name unknown): Bill, Laura, Etta, and Harry. Bill lived in Glennallen Alaska for most of his adult life, but currently resides in Anchorage. Harry died in combat, Laura passed away from illness and Etta died from cancer.

2009
John Kost, Jr. married Lorraine Herman. They were divorced some 25 years ago. Together they had seven children: Allen, Brother John (III), Fred, Kathy, Bobby, Mina, and Jeannie. Bobby died in his twenties and Uncle John and Kathy recently passed away. Allen still lives in Nome, Brother John lives between Nome and Anchorage, Fred lives in Anchorage and Mina lives in Washington. Lorraine also lives in Anchorage, along with many of her grandchildren that she has raised.

Dolly Kost moved to Washington State many years ago and married several times: Her children were Kay, George, Jeffrey and Jamie. Dolly just recently passed away and never returned to Alaska even to visit.

Sophia Kost never married. She had contracted TB early in her life and until her death, she cared for her parents and she also partially raised me. Sophia died from complications due to TB in 1973.

George (Korky) Kost married JoAnn some 46 years ago. They still reside in Nome. Together they had two children: Kristine and Dennis. Kristine passed away when she was still very young. Korky and JoAnn raised Kristine's only son George and they are all currently living in Nome.

Louis Kost married Beatrice Havercamp. Together they had two children: myself and my brother Jerry. After they divorced, Beatrice married Pete Pickett. Together, they had two daughters: Anna and Carol. Beatrice was killed in 1985 and Jerry died in a plane crash in 2001. Louis then married Grace Davis. Grace died in 1972 of a brain aneurysm.

Mary Kost was born with Downs Syndrome. She spent many years in Morningside Hospital in Portland Oregon. She returned to Nome in the 1960's where she remained until her parents died. She went on to live happily in a transitional home in Fairbanks. She recently passed away, but she had lived a long and interesting life.

Bill Buck married Milly (last name not known). Together they had one child: Loretta. They also adopted Ritchie. Ritchie passed away when he was very young. Loretta resides between Glenallen and Anchorage.

Laura Buck moved out of state and married. She had many children and I am not sure I can name them all yet.

Etta Buck moved to California where she was married twice with the following children: Gertrude, Billy, Ronnie and Gary. There are other older children, but I will add them later.