Donald L. Foster
October 10, 1934 ~ August 7, 2025
Donald’s service will be livestreamed below starting at 2:00 PM Thursday, August 14, 2025.
Donald Lane Foster was born on October 10, 1934 in Estelline, SD to Connor and Nancy (Cooper) Foster. He moved with his parents to the family farm ten miles northwest of Napoleon, ND in 1940. He received an 8th grade education in Sealy Township and attended one year at Napoleon High School. He received his GED at North Dakota State University and an Associate degree from Interstate Business College in Fargo. In 1954, he was drafted into the Army.
Donald married his childhood sweetheart, Kenegunda “Keney” Wolf at Fort Hood Texas on July11, 1955.
After his discharge from the Army in 1956, Donald worked for the Duluth Mesabi Iron Range Railroad for six years. In 1963, Donald enlisted in the North Dakota Air National Guard in Fargo, ND as a Security Policeman. During his career he was an Aircraft Mechanic, a supervisor of the Egress shop and retired in 1992, as a Senior Master Sergeant.
Donald was a charter life member of the AMVETS Post 7, Fargo, ND. He held many offices with the AMVETS including Commander of Post 7 and AMVETS State Finance Officer for seven years. Donald was also a member of the American Legion and the Knights of Columbus.
In 1996, Donald and Keney moved to Mesa, AZ where Donald enjoyed golfing and achieved six holes-in-one. They enjoyed traveling to visit many friends and family. In June 2022, his heart was broken when his wife passed. In 2023, he made his final move to New Perspective Senior Living in West Fargo, ND where he made many friends.
Donald is survived by his three children: Anita (Andy) Smith, Sylvania, GA, Byron (Michael) Foster, Mesa, AZ and Lavon (Loren) Schmidt, Coon Rapids, MN, two brothers: Robert (Kathy) Foster, Woodbury, MN, Glen (Carol) Foster, Mansfield, TX, four sisters: Joy (Jerry) Brunner, Sand Springs, OK, Janice Kremers, Sartell, MN, Linda (Ken) Warner, White Bear Lake, MN, and Karen (Ted) Schmitz, Afton, MN, three granddaughters: Melissa (Eric) Marion, High Point, NC, Brianna (Daniel) Bodunov, Roseville, MN, Mikayla (Ross) Nixon, Lauderdale, MN, two grandsons: Duane (Leah) Wood, Burbank, CA, Tyler Redlin (Heather Scherzer), Moorhead, MN, two step-granddaughters: Erin Schmidt, Fort Worth TX, Kelsey Schmidt, Omaha, NE, two great granddaughters, one great grandson, and expecting twin great grandchildren.
Donald was preceded in death by his wife, Keney: parents, Connor and Nancy (Cooper) Foster, three brothers: Gale, Gary and Rolland, two sisters: Lois and Celia, one son-in-law: John, one step-grandson: Eric, and many sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.
Services
Visitation - Thursday: August 14, 2025 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street S.
Fargo, North Dakota 58103
701-237-6441
www.boulgerfuneralhome.com
Funeral Service - Thursday: August 14, 2025 2:00 pm
Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street S.
Fargo, North Dakota 58103
701-237-6441
www.boulgerfuneralhome.com
Burial - Friday: August 15, 2025 12:00 pm
North Dakota Veteran's Cemetery Mandan ND
1825 46th St
Mandan, North Dakota 58554
(701) 667-1418
https://www.ndguard.nd.gov/veterans-cemetery
My deepest sympathy on the loss of Don. He was a great person to visit with and always made you feel welcome. May all the memories sustain all of you through this time 🙏
I’m so sorry for your loss
Duane and Don are I am sure talking shop.
Prayers for your family🙏🙏🙏
So sorry to hear of Don’s passing. I served in the Air Guard with him and we knew him in AZ.
John
My sympathy to all the family. He was a good cousin. In age I am just in between Donald and Kenny.
Don and Keney, were our next door neighbors in Mesa, for many years. I loved them both so much…Keney, brought fresh baked buns and other goodies….she was my “cool” neighbor ..and Don helped my mom and I with many fix it projects. He and I replaced our hot water heater, together….we were a team to be reckoned with.😊 he put our complicated exercise bike together….when in need Don was always there. We desperately missed him when he moved back to North Dakota…but he called us on a regular basis, as we did him…Don i love you so much….you are definitely one of the best and I cherish our memories. Your children are amazing…..I met Lavon and only knew the other daughter from you, and all the amazing things you said about her. Now I must say …Byron…oh my, what an amazing man he is…..I do know him…I love him, and I feel he is the best son , amazing son….and always there for his mom and dad…..Byron takes after his daddy….he is such a true gift and I’ve witnessed all the years Byron was with his parents, visiting, helping , and just being there …loving his mom and dad. Don, I know is proud…such an amazing, loving and close family ….and it started with Don and Keney.
When Byron and I lived in Grand Forks, I would occasionally join him for a weekend when he went home to Fargo. Uncle Donald (and Aunt Keney) were always such a great delight to spend time with. Uncle Donald was a remarkable person—kind and caring. I will always remember his warm presence and the way he made people feel comfortable and welcome. I feel fortunate that I got to visit with him in July at the picnic. Your grief is great and I want you to know that you’re in my thoughts and prayers.
With all my love and sympathy,
Lenny
Uncle Don taught me carpentry skills, and was my first Fargo employer! He was industrious, building a home while employed elsewhere, and then.moving in when they sold the other. He did this four times I believe. My condolences to family and friends of thus multi talented man.
Dearest Anita, Byron, and Lavon,
Your loss is enormous. Your Dad loved you all so very much. Oh my gosh, he literally glowed with proud when ever he spoke of you, which was often.
Your Dad was an extraordinary human being. He was my forever friend. We shared the ups and the downs of our lives. His unconditional kindness and friendship meant the world to me. Don and I had a special connection with our shared love of this beautiful country. Your Dad was extremely proud of his military service and I was proud of the small role I played in being a devoted Air Force wife. We shared our war stories. Your parents and I were together front and center at every Veteran’s day celebration. I shall treasure my memories of the 21 years we shared as neighbors and dear friends. 21 years was not nearly long enough.. I loved your folks. I will hold them close in my heart and memories for the rest of my life.
Thank you for your service, Don Foster.
RIP my Friend. Always and forever, Sally
Anita, Byron and LaVon,
We were so sorry to hear about Don’s passing. Don was such a sweet and kind person! He was such a joy to visit with him. Hope all your special memories help you through this difficult time.
Love and prayers to your families.🙏🏻
Larry and Sandy Pavlish
Anita. Byron and Lavon,
Our deepest sypathy yo you and your families. We always ejoyed getting together with your folks for great visiits, fish fries and our meeting in Gila Bend, AZ. on my birthday. Great memories with them and with the Gruels.
Frank and Prudy Jackson.
So sorry for your loss Anita, Byron, and Lavonne. Rest in peace Uncle Donald.
I am so sorry for Uncle Donald’s passing. I know I will miss his stories and laugh. I know he’s in heaven with Aunt Kenny. I’m glad he got to know my son Brenton when Brenton was going to school in West Fargo for his last two years. My thoughts and prayers are with Uncle Donald’s family and friends.
I’m going to miss you Uncle Donald
My condolences to Uncle Dons family. I remember deer hunting and fishing with him. It was always a fun time! He’s definitely going to be missed by everyone.