Andrew “Andy” Foster

Andrew Foster

Andrew Foster
January 23, 1933 – October 30, 2014
Rhodes (Oskaloosa), Iowa | Age 81

Andrew Eugene Foster, 81, of Rhodes, and formerly of Oskaloosa, died Thursday, October 30, 2014, at the Pella Hospice Comfort House in Pella. He was born January 23, 1933, in Albia, Iowa, the son of Duward and Sylvia McLead Foster.

Early on Andy worked at Park Lane Bowling Alley in Des Moines, and later for Des Moines Clay Brickyard. In 1951, he moved to Oskaloosa and went to work for Mahaska Bottling Co. On November 25, 1961, he was united in marriage to Helen Baker in Oskaloosa. Andy retired from Mahaska Bottling in 1992 after 41 years of employment.

Following his retirement Andy and Helen moved to South Dakota and he worked for Van Dyke’s. After some time in South Dakota they moved back to Oskaloosa and he worked for 7 years at Wal-Mart. Helen died August 28, 2009.

Andy was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oskaloosa. He enjoyed making lamps, molding plaster wall décor, traveling on his trike, playing guitar and dancing.

Family was very important to Andy, he made sure that his immediate family got to know, and stayed in touch, with his extended family. He was known as the favorite uncle.

His family includes his seven children: Peggy (& Alan) Torrance of Wahpeton, North Dakota, Patricia (& Ryan) Kellogg of Rockwell, Iowa, Phyllis Foster of Madison, South Dakota, Pamela (& Jeff) Davis of Hartselle, Alabama, Pauline Overman (& Norman Buck) of Rhodes, Iowa, Wayne (& Cindy) Foster of Reasnor, Iowa and Steven Foster of Plattsmouth, Nebraska; 23 grandchildren: Danielle Torrance (& Tyler Frankl), Cassandra Torrance, Austin Torrance, Jennifer (& Jason) Morad, Maria (& Dustin) Arbuckle, Heather Roberts, Britney (& Jesse) Milk, Ashley Eggen, Stephanie Smith (& Abby Harjo), Dakota Steichen, David Ethan Davis, Allison Davis, Wesley Overman, Benjamin (& Brittni) Overman, Nicholas (& Shaleah) Overman, Jeremy (& Jackie) Buck, Brandon Buck, Christopher Buck, Tyler Foster, Madison Foster, Andrew Foster, Ayrial Foster and Ayden Foster; 8 great grandchildren: Coretha Fenton, Isadora Arbuckle, Kayden Klosterman, Taelor Frankl, Secora Smith, Alana Roberts, Beau Overman, Abby Harjo, Jr. and Oakley Overman; two sisters: Violet “Midge” Gebhart of Centerville and Joyce Kelderman of Oskaloosa; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife Helen, Andy was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters: Jennie Dougherty and Carol Masterson; and five brothers: Bob Foster Gridley, Bill Gridley, Charles Foster, Duward Foster and Glen Foster.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be held Monday, November 3, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. in the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Jeff Belger officiating.
Burial will be in the Oakview Cemetery at Albia. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
A Christian Vigil Service will be Sunday at 1 p.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel.
Visitation with the family will be at the funeral chapel to greet friends and relatives until 4 p.m. Sunday.
Memorials may be made to Pella Hospice Comfort House.