Raymond G. Foster 1933-2011

FOSTER, STREETER, FRIESEN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/31/2013 at 14:32:49

Sioux City Journal
29 December 2011

SIOUX CITY -- Raymond G. Foster, 78, of Webster, S.D., formerly of Sioux City, died Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011, at Bethesda Home in Webster.

Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Friday at Fiksdal Funeral Service in Webster. The Rev. Dwight Fearing will officiate. There will be a prayer service at 7 p.m. today at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online to www.Fiksdalfuneral.com.

He was born in Sioux City, on Jan. 23, 1933, to Roland and Verna Foster. After completing his education at Sioux City Central High School, he served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War.

After his honorable discharge, he married Joyce Streeter (mother of Ken, Julie, Jeff and Susan). He joined the Milwaukee and Great Northern Railroad Companies for a combined 13 years. This was a job that he never loved more. That of course, being other than the job of being his own boss. After working for the railroad, he worked for Terra Chemical Co, for 19 years.

In 1969, he married Margaret Friesen (mother of Brian and Ruth). Ray also had a business in Sioux City, Foster Refrigeration, where he repaired air-conditioners, refrigerators, furnaces, and HVAC systems. This was a skill that he learned in the Navy. In 1990, he set out to start his own business on Enemy Swim Lake, north of Waubay, S.D. Here he opened up his business, later known as Bur Oak Lodge, a recreational resort. This venture was a business that centered around his other passion, being an outdoorsman.

Ray was baptized as a Lutheran, although originally he was not a committed Christian. A close friend and co-worker at Terra Chemical led him to be a born-again Christian. This lit a fervent desire to be a devout Christian, and he wanted Christ to change his life for the better. He became known in small circles as the "Dakota Preacher Man", and became an active member at the Open Bible, and the Central Assembly of God Churches in his time at Sioux City. He looked forward to having men's fellowships that would give him the opportunity to bring groups of guys to go on fishing trips.

He is survived by his sister, Glenda McMeekin of Vancouver, BC; his wife, Margaret; six children, Kenneth, Julie, Jeff, Susan Bose, Brian and Ruth Hernandez; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, far too many to name.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brothers, Robert and Richard.

Ray wanted to let everyone know that Jesus changed his life, and that he can change yours, only if you ask him to. So, if you bother to tap an angel on the shoulder to ask Ray's whereabouts when you get to heaven, the angel will likely point you to the nearest fishing hole, where all that you catch are keepers, and the big one never gets away.