Steven Jay Foster

1948 - 2010

Steven Jay Foster, 61, of Mansfield died unexpectedly Monday, Nov. 15, 2010, at a Mansfield hospital. Service: 1 p.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church of Mansfield. Private burial: Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Blessing. Steve was born in Mason City, Iowa, the son of Marvin and Mildred Foster of Garner, Iowa. He met his future wife, Nancy, during his junior year of high school. During high school, he enjoyed playing football and golf. He graduated from Garner-Hayfield High School in May 1967. In September 1967, Steve enlisted in the United States Air Force, stationed in Texas, Colorado and the Philippines as a communications specialist. He was honorably discharged in May 1971 and had a lifetime of passion towards the Air Force and service to his country. On Dec. 21, 1968, Steve and Nancy married at Faith Lutheran Church in Miller, Iowa. He graduated from Iowa State University in 1978 with a degree in business administration, starting a longtime career in insurance with his first company, All-State. He worked for a variety of insurance companies throughout his career, but was most proud of the past 20 years spent with Wells Fargo Insurance. Steve was, above all, an extremely loving and caring husband and father to his four children. In the past five years, he was most happy spending time with his eight grandchildren. He also enjoyed golfing, woodworking and playing games on the computer in his spare time. Steve was devoted to his family, and his faith and love of God carried him through life. Steve was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Dan Brady. Survivors: His wife, Nancy; children, Stephanie Shkolnikov and her husband, Leo, of McKinney, William Foster and his wife, Jill, of Omaha, Neb., Sarah Kostis and her husband, Michail, of Arlington and Molly Nelsen and her husband, Dan, of Warrensburg, Mo.; sisters, Gloria Eccles of Tucson, Ariz., and Glenda Brady of Ankeny, Iowa; brother, Richard Foster and his wife, Helen, of Grundy Center, Iowa; and grandchildren, Maximilian and Yves Shkolnikov, Nathaniel Foster, Alexander and Dylan Kostis, and Kristian, Oliver and Sophia Nelsen.