Name: Visitation for Michael J. "Mike" Foster
Start: 2016-08-08T22:00:00.000Z
End: 2016-08-08T23:00:00.000Z
Location: Kettle Moraine Community Church

Foster, Michael J. "Mike" Of Waukesha, formerly of Brookfield. Born April 28, 1939, born to eternal life, Aug. 5, 2016 at the age of 77. Beloved husband and best friend of Judy (nee Wagner). Devoted and loving father of Julie (Joel) Anders, Brian (Beth) Foster, David (Marianne) Foster. Most amazing Papa to Laura and Ben Foster, Jesse and Lauryn Anders, Nicholas, Michael and Sam Foster. Dear brother of Patrick (the late Barbara) and Daniel (Lorraine) Foster. Much loved brother-in-law of Alayne (Chuck) Tamayo. Preceded in death by his parents Adrian and Kathleen Foster and his sister Kathy (AKA "Ask Ursula") Foster. Further survived by several nieces and nephews and many longtime friends. Born and raised in Wauwatosa, Mike met his soul mate and neighbor, Judy, as a teenager while delivering The Milwaukee Sentinel in their neighborhood. After completing his degree at UW Milwaukee, he and Judy married and eventually settled in Brookfield, where they raised their family. Mike was devoted to his family. Family vacations included sailing, fishing, and camping trips and trips up north. He also created fun adventures for the kids, including speed skating lessons and trips to Road America. He had a passion for restoring vintage cars, including Austin-Healeys, MGs, Triumphs, and a 1974 BMW 2002. He also shared his hobbies and passions with his children and grandchildren; who spent many hours tinkering in the garage with him. He was the model grandfather, who enjoyed playing trains, cars and sports, making art projects, and baking. And, he was always available to babysit. Mike was well respected as a Chemist and Salesman for Freeman Chemical, a job he loved and held until retirement. After retiring, He started a second business doing concrete repair work and later began a side business buying, repairing and selling vintage motorcycles. Mike loved the Green Bay Packers and one of his fondest memories was attending the Ice Bowl game with his brothers (they did, really!). He also had an uncanny knack for - out of frustration - turning a game off while the Packers were losing only to miss some of the greatest comebacks of all time. Thankfully, he always recorded the games and watched the winning plays later without the suspense. Mike was a man of faith and is assured of his salvation. A visitation for will be on Monday, Aug. 8, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. until the time of the 6:00 p.m. Memorial Service at Kettle Moraine Community Church, W341 S6480 Hwy 59, North Prairie, WI 53153. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Evangelical Child & Family Agency, 1617 S. 124th Street, New Berlin, WI 53151. Ecfawisc.org or Christ For Humanity, P.O. Box 580127, Tulsa, OK, 74158-0127, christforhumanity.org.

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Published by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Aug. 7, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael Foster

Sponsored by Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home.

4 Entries

Benjamin Foster

May 25, 2018

Papa, thank you for raising great parents. I am so blessed to have been your grandson. You are the prime example of a manly man. Never have I heard you shout in anger, throw a wrench in the garage, or raise your tone to a lady. You are that man in his favorite recliner, blue CCP fingernail clipper, 1 millionth book read, corn chips and salsa, short nap, and every young grandchilds world. After your naps we would work on the Austin Healey or wash and wax your unique cars. Train watching and model train building, trains are still the most satisfying machine to me. Jesse and I ride our motorcycles together and he is my closest cousin. I still love fishing and I did not give up on artificial bait. Your tackle box and fishing rods help me remember the good times shared and the memories made together. There are so many more to list. I am proud of Grandma for being strong and adapting to the change. It has been difficult accepting the fact you were taken so fast and so young. I miss you so much. We all miss you, but we are strong and have not forgotten you. Thank you for all you have taught me and for the love you have shown through wrenching, Road America trips, church groups, and fishing. Whenever I clip my finger nails or eat tortilla chips, the image of you comes to mind. A simple thing like that to remind me of my hero, mentor, my grandfather. A one armed side to side hug goodbye, should I go out the front door or garage waving goodbye. Jazz music, over applied sunscreen when fishing, boone cap and racoon sun glasses, going all out on Rapalas to catch less fish, gadds, jeeperz, one yawn and saying grandma it's time for bed, wheres waldo sleepover book reading, popcorn popping-apple juice n movie nights, and grandmas best friend. Until we cross paths again, love Benjamin.