Ellie Foster

1949 - 2016

Eleanor "Ellie" Hickman Foster was born on September 30, 1949 at Chariton, Iowa.
She received her angel wings on Monday, November 28, 2016 at the Wayne County Hospital surrounded by her family.
Ellie's parents are Gerald and Ellen (Holder) Hickman.
She was the middle duck of the family of five girls. She had three nieces and one nephew that had a special place in her heart. They presented her with twelve great nieces and great nephews. She was known as "Gramma Ellie" to numerous other special children.
Ellie attended Cambria-Corydon School. But when she graduated in 1967 it had become Wayne Community School. Following high school she attended the University of Iowa at Iowa City, and graduated from Morningside College at Sioux City, Scarritt College in Nashville, Tennessee and St. Paul Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri.
She was ordained as a deacon and then later as an elder in the United Methodist Church. She served in several churches in Kansas. With her final position being executive director and pastor of Wesley House. She retired from ministry in 2014.
Each year as spring arrived she made plans to be part of the staff of Camp Chipewa. She was in charge of the camper's Spiritual Formation but was known to all as "Gramma Ellie." Her ministry focused on the rural, small churches, the youth and the disadvantaged.
She was active in church work at all levels as well as community organizations like Kiwanis Club, PEO, WAYCO Arts Council, Corydon United Methodist Church Bell Choir, and was part of the mentoring program for Wayne Community School.
Ellie lived life to the fullest and enjoyed making it possible for others to enjoy life as well. She would make herself available to others who were in need.
When Ellie retired, she came home to be close to her Iowa family.
She bought a small house and was enjoying fixing it up with her personal touches. She returned to the small country church that helped mold her life, the New Zion United Methodist Church.
A celebration of life service will be at Wesley House December 9 at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Wesley House, 411 E 12, Pittsburg, Kansas or online at www.wesleyhouseumc.org.
Condolences may be shared at www.thomasfh.com.