Foster, Fannie 1860-1920

FOSTER, HOUGHTON

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 9/14/2016 at 16:43:30

The Grinnell (IA) Herald

SINCERELY MOURNED

Mrs. A.A. Foster Passed Away Satur-
day Afternoon After A Long
Illness

HAD BEEN A RESIDENT
OF GRINNELL SINCE GIRLHOOD

Will Be Missed By A Wide Circle Of
Friends--Funeral Services
Yesterday

Mrs. Fannie Houghton Foster who passed away last Saturday afternoon had been a resident of Grinnell since her girlhood. Born in Dunbarton, New York, July 15, 1860, she came west with her parents in 1868. Three years later the family moved to a farm four miles east of Grinnell. After two years they moved again to the farm northwest of Grinnell where her father, Mr. Houghton continued to reside for many years.

With her sister, Ida Kate, now Mrs. I.S. Bailey, Fannie Houghton attended the country schools and the schools of Grinnell. At the age of twenty she was married to Andrew A. Foster. Their married life has been conspicuously congenial and happy, marked as it has been by a constant sharing of all the experiences of the years. Although now children were born to them, they adopted a niece, Lily, who grew to womanhood in their home. They have been in thought and kindness parents and grandparents to many others.

When first married, Mr. and Mrs. Foster began housekeeping in a home on West 5th Avenue. This was almost completely destroyed by the cyclone, the occupants escaping with minor injuries. The house was immediately rebuilt. In 1901 Mr. and Mrs. Foster moved to 1133 Main where they lived for sixteen years.

About seven years ago Mrs. Foster passed through a severe operation. Her health has never been good since and though give the best of treatment at Rochester and elsewhere she finally succumbed to a cancerous trouble just a few days before she and Mr. Foster had planned to start for California to spend the winter.

Mrs. Foster was eminently Christian in all outlook and activity. Her thought was constantly upon the welfare and happiness of others, both those of her immediate circle and those who had no claim except their need. Unobtrusive and modest as she was, the fifty years of her presence with us record the names of hundreds of people whom she has befriended.

Her life was characterized by a certain serene happiness that was unshaken by physical suffering or disappointment, growing out as it did from her habit of gratitude and appreciation and her disposition to disregard her own discomfort and to enter into the happiness of others.

For thirty-four years she was a loyal member of the Congregational church. Her Christian faith was of the kind that sustains and carries its silent testimony. When the knowledge came that the days left to her were very few, she faced the situation with characteristic calmness and with perfect confidence that she would meet her friends upon the Eternal Shore.

The funeral service, attended by a large number of relatives, neighbors and friends, was conducted by Re. E.W. Cross from the I.S. Bailey home, Monday afternoon at 2:30. A quartet composed of Mr. Fred Morrison, Mrs. E.B.T. Spencer, Miss Lucile Umbenhauer and Prof. L.D. Hartson sang "Jesus Lover of My Soul" and "At Evening Time there Shall Be Light." The pallbearers were all nephews of Mr. Foster: B.W. Foster, Clyde Foster, Charlie Warner, Clarence Warner, Joe Gimar and Sam McCune.

Mrs. Foster will live on in the affectionate memory and in the finer ideal life of Grinnell.

The many friends who knew and loved Mrs. Foster for her womanly character and sterling qualities join in extending the deepest sympathy with the sorrowing relatives at this deep and lasting loss.