Mary Elizabeth Werhan Foster 1907-1996

WERHAN, FOSTER, CLEMENTS, GEBHARDT, MITCHELL, HARTLE, BURTON, SETTERGREN

Posted By: Janet Koozer (email)
Date: 1/14/2007 at 11:37:53

Mary Elizabeth Werhan Foster

Was born April 28, 1907 in Allamakee County, Iowa to Theodore Jacob and Sylvia Jane (Stahl) Werhan. She was the second girl born into the family of five sons and two daughters.

Mary grew up in Waukon, Iowa where she graduated from High School. To her family she was known as Betty or Beth. She lived briefly in Manitoba, Canada where most of the family moved in the early 1920's. Eventually all the brothers and sisters returned to the United States. For many years. Mary taught in country schools while working to be certified to teach in Consolidated School Districts. In 1946 she married Allen Foster who farmed near Echo, MN. They farmed six years, until Allen's death, September 9, 1952.

She was hired to teach elementary grades in Renville and purchased her home on South Main Street in Renville where she died on August 28, 1996 at the age of 89 years. She taught school for 38 years, retiring in 1972. She was an active member of the United Methodist Church of Renville and the United Methodist Women. She belonged to the Renville Civic Improvement Club and the General Federation of Women's Clubs. In her younger years, she was always willing to drive her friends to meetings and other outings. Mary was very interested in family history. She kept up an active correspondence with her family and also with distant cousins and was reponsible ( with the cooperation of her cousins) for publishing family records for both the Werhan and the Stahl families.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and four brothers, Paul, Frank, William, and Charles Werhan. She is survived by her sister, Faith Clements of Basin, Wyoming and brother Milton Werhan of Minneapolis. Also survived by nephews, Fred Clements, Bill Werhan, Charles Werhan, and Gerald Werhan and as well as nieces; Dona Gebhardt, Rosemary Mitchell, Marsha Hartle, Thelma Burton, and Carol Settergren.

Blessed be her memory..

Casket Bearers were Bradley Hartle, Charles Werhan, Eric Settergren, Dean Hartle, Gerald Werhan, James Settergren.

Interment at Echo Cemetery, Echo, Minnesota.
Sunset Funeral Home Echo, Minnesota.

Taken from church Memorial card..