In memoriam to Brother Knight Willis "Lefty" Anthony Foster
August 4, 2017
Willis A. "Lefty" Foster, 95, of Eau Claire, died peacefully on Friday, August 4, 2017, at Clearwater Care Center.
He was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, on August 2, 1922, the son of William and Agnes (Frank) Foster.
Lefty graduated from St. Patrick's High School in 1940. While attending high school, Dad acquired the name Lefty because of his left-handed basketball play.
As a member of the greatest generation, Lefty served as an engineer/gunner on a B-24 Liberator during World War II with the 8th Air Force based in Horsham-St. Faith, England, flying 31 missions over Western Europe. He was honorably discharged in 1945.
On June 20, 1953, Lefty married his wife of 54 years, Hildegarde "Hilde" Ziegenbein, at St. Patrick's Church in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Lefty was the owner of Foster Abstract & Title Co., Inc., from 1959 to 2008. He served on many committees with Wisconsin Land Title Association and as President in 1982-83.
Lefty was a member of many area service organizations throughout his adult life, including: Lion's Club, Elks, Knights of Columbus, American Legion, and Westgate Sportsman's Club.
Lefty was a Parishioner of Immaculate Conception Parish, and during that time helped organize the fish boils for several years. He was also a Booster Club member at Regis High School and worked the chain gang during Regis home football games. He was the Regis Non Sibi recipient in 2005. For many years he donated an award blanket for the Senior Athlete of the Year.
He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Lefty and Hilde enjoyed dancing, boating, and spending time with family and friends. He was also an avid sports fan, enjoying the Green Bay Packers, UWEC Blugolds, and the Wisconsin Badgers. He officiated prep basketball with the Indianhead Athletic Officials Association for many years.
Lefty is survived by his three daughters, Peggy Foster of Eau Claire (special friend David Bailey), Debra Foster of Eau Claire, and Jane (David Henderson), of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota; and a son, Mark (Denise Foster) of Eau Claire; five grandsons, Justin (Katherine), Nick, Kyle, Ben, and Matthew; and by many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by wife, Hilde, his son, Terry, his parents, and sisters Marion Tubbs and Rosemary Krogman.
Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 14th, 2017, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with Father Don Meuret celebrating the mass. Inurnment will be at the Forest Hill Cemetery Columbarium, Eau Claire, with military honors immediately following the service. Visitation preceding mass at 9:30 a.m. Please join us for lunch, M&Ms, Mountain Dew & reminiscing on a life well lived at the church hall.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at the Clearwater Care Center. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Regis Field Project, Regis Track & Field Project, c/o Perry Myren, Athletic Director, 2100 Fenwick Avenue, Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54701. The family is being assisted by Chippewa Valley Cremation Services
Visitation
Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service, at church.
Service
Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 14, 2017, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Eau Claire, WI. |