Gramer Dixie Foster

89, Bradenton, passed away Sept. 4, 2016. Gramer was born on June 20, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois. He was a Pilot with North Central Airlines, then Pilot and Senior Vice President of Flight Operations with Republic Airlines, and Pilot and Senior Vice-President of Maintenance and Engineering with Northwest Airlines with 32 ½ years of service. He moved to Manatee County in 1987 coming from Burnsville, Minnesota. Locally he was a member of the St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church on Longboat Key, and attended the Ss. Peter & Paul the Apostles Catholic Church in Bradenton. He was predeceased by his loving mother Gertrude Bertha Foster, beloved wife of 66 years, Dolores Jean Foster in March of 2013, and a daughter Laura Foster-Eklund in June of 2009, a brother, George and a sister, Margaret. Survived by his caring daughter, Carol of Bradenton, three precious grandchildren; Jesse (Jennifer) Hadac, Danielle Hadac, and Garrett Gramer Foster, one adorable great-granddaughter, Kali Jean Hadac and many extended family members and friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 A.M. on Friday, September 9, 2016 in the Chapel at Ss. Peter &Paul the Apostles Catholic Church, Bradenton. Further services and interment will take place at St. Michael Cemetery in Farmington, Minnesota. The family request that in lieu of flowers that memorials be made to Shriner's Children's Hospital in his memory. Condolences for the family may be made online at www.shannonfunerahomes.com.