Dear Classes of 1974 & 1975:

This is a Deacon Alert to inform you of the passing of Donald Foster on Thursday, Aug. 7th.

Donald was the father of Anita (Foster) Smith ('74), Byron Foster ('75), and Lavon (Foster) Schmidt.

Obituary:

Donald Lane Foster was born on October 10, 1934 in Estelline, SD to Connor and Nancy (Cooper) Foster. He moved with his parents to the family farm ten miles northwest of Napoleon, ND in 1940. He received an 8th grade education in Sealy Township and attended one year at Napoleon High School. He received his GED at North Dakota State University and an Associate degree from Interstate Business College in Fargo. In 1954, he was drafted into the Army.

Donald married his childhood sweetheart, Kenegunda “Keney” Wolf at Fort Hood Texas on July11, 1955.

After his discharge from the Army in 1956, Donald worked for the Duluth Mesabi Iron Range Railroad for six years. In 1963, Donald enlisted in the North Dakota Air National Guard in Fargo, ND as a Security Policeman. During his career he was an Aircraft Mechanic, a supervisor of the Egress shop and retired in 1992, as a Senior Master Sergeant.

Donald was a charter life member of the AMVETS Post 7, Fargo, ND. He held many offices with the AMVETS including Commander of Post 7 and AMVETS State Finance Officer for seven years. Donald was also a member of the American Legion and the Knights of Columbus.

In 1996, Donald and Keney moved to Mesa, AZ where Donald enjoyed golfing and achieved six holes-in-one. They enjoyed traveling to visit many friends and family. In June 2022, his heart was broken when his wife passed. In 2023, he made his final move to New Perspective Senior Living in West Fargo, ND where he made many friends.

Donald is survived by his three children: Anita (Andy) Smith, Sylvania, GA, Byron (Michael) Foster, Mesa, AZ and Lavon (Loren) Schmidt, Coon Rapids, MN, two brothers: Robert (Kathy) Foster, Woodbury, MN, Glen (Carol) Foster, Mansfield, TX, four sisters: Joy (Jerry) Brunner, Sand Springs, OK, Janice Kremers, Sartell, MN, Linda (Ken) Warner, White Bear Lake, MN, and Karen (Ted) Schmitz, Afton, MN, three granddaughters: Melissa (Eric) Marion, High Point, NC, Brianna (Daniel) Bodunov, Roseville, MN, Mikayla (Ross) Nixon, Lauderdale, MN, two grandsons: Duane (Leah) Wood, Burbank, CA, Tyler Redlin (Heather Scherzer), Moorhead, MN, two step-granddaughters: Erin Schmidt, Fort Worth TX, Kelsey Schmidt, Omaha, NE, two great granddaughters, one great grandson, and expecting twin great grandchildren.

Donald was preceded in death by his wife, Keney: parents, Connor and Nancy (Cooper) Foster, three brothers: Gale, Gary and Rolland, two sisters: Lois and Celia, one son-in-law: John, one step-grandson: Eric, and many sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

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