Gary Dean Foster

Gary Dean Foster lived his life to the fullest, and went home to be with his Lord and Savior Wednesday morning, June 10, 2015 at Mayo Clinic Health System Mankato (Immanuel St. Joseph’s Hospital). Celebration of His Life will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2015, at 11:00 AM, at Hillside Church 502 S. Victory Drive in Mankato, with Rev. Mark Miltimore officiating. Visitation time will be from 4 8 Tuesday June 16, 2015 at Spencer Owen Funeral Home, 345 6th Ave SE in Winnebago, and one hour before service at the church in Mankato. Web tributes may be left at www.spencerowen.com He was born on November 26, 1961 in Winnebago, Minnesota, the son of Dale and Ardis (Riley) Foster. He attended Winnebago High School, graduated in 1980 and started working in the Guckeen Elevator and at J & M Manufacturing. In 1983 he began farming with his grandpa, Stan Riley. On September 15, 1984 he was united in marriage to Karen Baxter at the Assembly of God Church in Blue Earth, Minnesota. Their 30 years together were filled with love and laughter. After making their home in Winnebago, they were blessed with two children, Curtis (Curt) Foster and Christopher (Chris) Foster. In addition to farming, Gary worked in the family garbage business for a few years and in 1994 began trucking with his dad and brother, hauling livestock of the swine persuasion. He was a hard worker, devoting long hours for several years to trucking and farming. In 2004 he moved his family to the farm site of his grandparents in Amboy. Gary always had an interest in history, especially World War II and the airplanes of WWII, reading many books written by people who were there. He started steering RC Jeeps, cars and pickups and graduated into RC airplanes and flying 1/5th scale Warbirds. He owned his favorite of WWII, a P-51 Mustang, along with other airplanes. He eventually got into flying ultralight airplanes and went on to earn his pilot’s license. He had an old WWII trainer, an Aeronca which he loved to fly. He may have buzzed you during the time he owned that plane. Gary also liked the look and handling of sport bikes and started with his favorite, a 1000 Honda Hurricane. When he decided he had gone fast enough riding sport bikes, he got a Honda Gold Wing. Though it was a nice bike, he didn’t keep it very long; it just wasn’t fast enough. He bought a 1970 Boss 302 Mustang from a friend and did a total restoration of that car. He took it to a few car shows, but decided it was more fun to drive than to polish. So instead, he went into auto crossing with it. After deciding to try some other interests, he sold it to a friend, so that he could still see it off and on. Throughout his life, the constant vehicle that he loved was a Mustang. The 1970 fastback was his favorite, with the convertible coming in at a close second. After living several years without one, when the 2005-09 model years came out, he decided it was time to get a Mustang back. He bought a convertible and found a new interest in taking day trips and exploring wherever his car would take him. He had a secret longing for a Jeep and in the last couple of years, found one that was just what he wanted. He was looking forward to more adventures both on and off the pavement. Gary kept up on the happenings in the world, and had a way of explaining things in a simplistic manner. His infectious smile and laughter could engage anyone and he made a friend of all those he met. He loved his God, wife and sons and was their “rock.” Gary will be greatly missed by his family, relatives and his many friends. Above all else, his faith in God and sense of humor sustained him through his difficult last year. He is survived by his wife, Karen, sons, Curt, of Amboy, and Christopher of Winnebago, parents, Dale and Ardis Foster of Winnebago, brother Scott (Lori) of Winnebago, father and mother-in-law, Ross and Janice Baxter of Fairmont, brother-in-law David (Sonia) of Fairmont and brother-in-law, Kevin (Carrie) of Hesperia, CA, along with nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Terry Foster, and his grandparents, Stan and Lois Riley and Fred and Celissa Foster.