Mary Beth Foster

MASON CITY: Mary Elizabeth (Beth) Foster, 93, of Mason City, died Friday, April 11, 2014 at Mercy Medical Center North Iowa. She had been battling multiple myeloma and several other health issues since being diagnosed in 2010. A funeral mass will be held 10:30 AM Tuesday, April 15, 2014 at Epiphany Parish Holy Family Catholic Church, 714 N. Adams. Interment will be in Elmwood St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 PM Monday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue. A Rosary service will be held at 7:00 PM followed by a Scriptural Wake service at 7:30 PM. Beth was born August 21, 1920 in Cut Bank, Montana the daughter of Frank and Bridget (Connolly) Hammond. She married John D. Foster December 19, 1944 in Klamath Falls, Oregon, and they began their new life in the West. Family call for help brought them back to Iowa and the family farm. They spent the next 4+ decades in farm & community life, church life and raising their seven children surrounded by wonderful neighbors, friends and family. Each summer, Beth, John and the children would take a much anticipated return trip to Montana to re-connect with Beth’s Mother and family members. Beth was a wonderful Mother and inspiration to her children and to many who knew her. She had a twinkle in her eyes, a sweet, infectious smile and always wise and kind words – she was very, very easy to love. Beth enjoyed watching birds, especially cardinals, gardening & flowers and keeping up on current events. She and Alan spent many an evening cheering on the Twins, Iowa, ISU or the local area teams via TV or radio. Her greatest joy was her family and friends. Their laughter and stories provided much happiness. Beth was a faithful Catholic her whole life. She was a member of Epiphany Parish Holy Family Catholic Church and was very thankful in her later years for the homebound ministry that allowed her to receive communion and continued fellowship in her home. Beth is survived by her 7 children, Tim Foster of Vancouver, Washington, Jim (Mary) Foster of Chaska, Minnesota, Ann (Mark) Lorenz of Springville, Alan Foster of Mason City, Mary K (Ric) Anderson of Marshalltown, Lois (Terry) King of Duluth, Minnesota, and Joyce Foster of Cedar Rapids; 16 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Merry Lou (Al) Shaw of Wayne, Pennsylvania; brother-in-law, Marvin Schoneman of Garner. Beth was preceded in death by her husband, John in 1995; brother, Jim Hammond, and sister, Marge Vesterby.