Janice D-Stenslie Foster

Janice was born to Esther Rismon Stenslie and James Stenslie on February 21, 1945 in Fargo, N.D. She grew up on a ranch west of Winifred, MT where she attended school, graduating from Winifred High School in 1963 in a class of eight.

She attended Concordia College in Moorehead, MN for one year and then transferred to the University of Montana, graduating in 1968 with a degree in home economics and art. Later, she earned a master’s degree in business from City University in Bellevue, WA.

Ken Foster and Janice were married at American Lutheran Church on March 25, 1967 in Winifred, MT -

the church her father helped build. Upon graduation, they moved to Helena, MT where their daughter, Carmen, was born. Shortly after, Ken spent six months at Fort Ord and Janice and Carmen moved to the Bar M Heart Ranch, her childhood home west of Winifred.

Upon his return from army training, the Fosters moved to the Seattle area where they have lived for 49 years. Their son Brett was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Lewistown in 1971.

After 20 years with U.S. West Cellular, Janice retired.

Janice lived an active life. She practiced yoga, played tennis, belonged to the Sammamish Rowing Club where she rowed in the opening day Regatta through Mountlake Club in Seattle, organized au pair visits for foreign students, and through her church, helped a Cambodian family settle in the area.

Janice was a member of the Bellevue YWCA and belonged to their hiking group. She was a member of the Senior Center of Redmond Book Club, was instrumental in organizing ski events for her children’s racing teams, and belonged to a Ski Bus that skied Crystal Mountain.

She was an accomplished artist.

Ken and Janice traveled to many countries - Africa, Europe, South America and Australia. They skied in Europe with the Mountaineers, and as tennis fans, attended the U.S Open in New York City several times. She and her sister also traveled to China, Egypt, Italy and took a Danube cruise.

Being a grandmother was most important to her. She cooked with her grandsons, watched them ski, read to them, and took them to art and science museums. A special time for her was the years her family and her sister’s family met at ski resorts across the West and Canada for Christmas holidays. The time spent at the Bar M Heart Ranch with her children, her sister and nephews and, later, grandchildren was also special. Her legacy is that the family ranch remains with the family.

Janice was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by her husband Ken, son Brett, daughter Carmen (Tony) Seep, grandchildren Benjamin and Gavin, sister Vangie (David) McConnell, nephews Bryan and Christopher McConnell, sister’s in-law Patti Jo (Cecil) Campbell, Donna (Alan) Young and various nieces, nephews, and cousins. Janice was a thoughtful, caring women loved by her family and friends. She will be missed by many.

As she wished, cremation has taken place. A celebration of her life is set for Dec. 9, 2017, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at theUniversity of Washington Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 N.E. 41st Street, Seattle and at American Lutheran church in Winifred in July, 2018.

Memorial gifts may be sent to Sammamish Rowing Association, 5022 West Lake Sammamish Pkwy NE, Redmond, WA 98052 or the YMCA - Bellevue , 14230 Bel-Red Road, Bellevue, WA 98007 or the charity or your choice.

Love your grandkids often. Row hard and ski fast. Drink only scotch.