Bruce Foster, 79, Eckelson, ND passed away at SMP Health-Ave Maria, Jamestown, ND on October 28, 2024. Visitation will be Friday, November 8, 2024, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Jamestown. A prayer service will be held there beginning at 7:00. The funeral service will be in Trinity Lutheran Church, Jamestown, at 10:00 AM, Saturday, November 9. Military honors will be done at the church following the service and he will be laid to rest in Fairview Cemetery, Sanborn, ND. The service will be live streamed, then archived, on a link provided along with his obituary on his tribute page at www.lerudmathias.com. An online guestbook is available there as well.
Bruce Alan Foster was born April 1, 1945, to Roscoe and Eunice (Hanson) Foster in Portland, OR. At a young age, Bruce and the family moved back to the family farm near Eckelson, ND. Bruce attended Eckelson Public School, graduating in 1963. After graduation, Bruce enlisted in the United States Marine Corps wherein he did 2 tours in Vietnam as a front-line gunner. Upon returning home from the war, Bruce farmed. August 11, 1967, Bruce married Cheryl Kathryn Hesch at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sanborn, ND. They resided on the family farm where they raised their 3 children Jeremie, Kyle, and Morgan. Along with farming, Bruce was a professional photographer (Special Effects Photography) having taken many pictures ranging from weddings to senior pictures, family pictures, reunions, and anything people wanted.
In 1995, Bruce started working for Alpha Opportunities in Jamestown, ND, taking care of people with disabilities. He worked there for almost 20 years before retiring due to his agent-orange related health issues. Taking care of the people supported at Alpha Opportunities was something very dear to Bruce and he loved doing it every day. With time, Bruce’s health started to deteriorate, and he moved into SMP Health Ave Maria in Jamestown on October 7, 2023.
Bruce is survived by his wife of 57 years, Cheryl; daughter, Morgan Foster; daughter-in-law, Michelle Foster; granddaughter, Jade (Cristian) Dorsey; great-grandson, Cain Dorsey; sisters-in-law, Peggy Foster, Linda Hesch and Sharon Hesch; nephews, Perry (Darlene) Hesch, Leslie (Melanie) Hesch, Wade (Kim) Hesch, and Terry (IMarshell Ziesch) Hesch; nieces, Tami Foster, Darla (Dave) Muckenhirn, Rhonda (Randy) Nikunen, and Cindy (Wes) McElroy; several great and great-great nieces and nephews; and his special cat, Babycat.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Roscoe and Eunice; parents-in-law, Garvis and Bernice Hesch; grandparents; sons, Jeremie and Kyle Foster; brother, Robert Foster; brothers-in-law, Duane and Larry Hesch; great-nephew, Tristen Hesch; several aunts, uncles, relatives, and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation be made to JRMC Hospice. The Lerud Mathias Funeral Home in Valley City, ND is assisting Bruce’s family with arrangements.