Foster, Erwin (1923-2012)
FOSTER, DWYER, CHRIST, SIPLE, TYLER, SCHWEERS, BEERS
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 8/20/2012 at 11:31:33
Erwin Foster
January 11, 1923 - August 15, 2012FOREST CITY - Erwin Foster, 89, of Forest City, died Wednesday, August 15, 2012, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.
Erwin was born on January 11, 1923, in Fontanelle, Iowa, the first-born child of Emmert and Irene Dwyer Foster. A descendant of early Iowa settlers, Erwin was always proud of his Irish heritage. He grew up in Greenfield, graduating from Greenfield High School.
On January 30, 1943, Erwin was inducted into the United States Army. He served with the 135th Medical Regiment in the Philippines, New Guinea, and with the Occupation Forces in Japan. While in New Guinea, he suffered an attack of dengue fever followed by hepatitis. He also served in Australia at two different times.
On his return from military duty in 1946, he married Vivian E. Christ in Winterset, Iowa, where she was a high school teacher. They were blessed with a daughter, Karen Rose, and a son, Dr. Larry D. Erwin.
Erwin owned and operated the Gambles Hardware Store in Forest City from 1948 until 1973, when he sold his business and became the manager of Eddy's Glass Company. Erwin worked at Eddy's until his retirement.
He was a member of the Masons, the Chamber of Commerce, the VFW, the American Legion, the Forest City Barbershop Chorus, the Lions Club, and the Rotary. He belonged to the United Methodist Church and served in various offices.
Erwin and Vivian enjoyed traveling to Alaska, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, and central Europe. They spent many happy days camping with friends in their motor home both in the U.S. and Canada. In later years, they wintered in their home at Valley View Estates, Mission, Texas. An avid gardener and wood worker, Erwin also enjoyed collecting and restoring the antiques he found at auctions.
He is survived by Vivian, his wife of sixty-six blessed years; his daughter, Karen (Roy Siple) and his son, Dr. Larry (Joy Rohwer Foster); five grandsons, Bill Siple, of Fort Collins, Colorado, and Clint, Jared, Trevor, and Logan Foster, of the Twin Cities, and one granddaughter, Dr. Jessica Siple Tyler, (Dr. Ryan Tyler), of Boston, Massachusetts; four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Veryl Schweers, of Greenfield, and Helen Beers (Bob), of Panora, Iowa; and a brother, Dr. Jerry Foster (Mary); of Normal, Illinois; as well as eight nieces, eight nephews, and many friends. He was preceded in death by one brother, Wayne, of West Des Moines.
A very honest, caring, and helpful man, Erwin will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, August 18, 2012 at United Methodist Church in Forest City with Pastor Jerald Swanberg officiating.
Burial will be held at Madison Township Cemetery in Forest City with Military Rites by American Legion Post 121.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church.Copyright © 2012, Petersen Lund Funeral Home
Winnebago Obituaries maintained by Cheryl Siebrass.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen