Lois Averill Foster

Lois Anita Averill Foster, born to Harry and Keo Kern on August 24th, 1926 in (old) Witten, South Dakota was a woman who loved adventure and was never afraid to jump into something new with both feet. She lived during some hard times, but always made the best of things. Lois loved to ride her horse even after the horse bit off the end of her little finger! After growing up on the family farm Lois graduated high school in Winner, South Dakota in 1943. Shortly thereafter, she was off to Washington DC. to work as a stenographer in the Pentagon and the U.S. Maritime Commission during WW II. This first move began a long history of service to federal, county, and community organizations throughout her life.

Lois later married Donald C. Foster from Highmore, S.D., who had joined the US Army and earned the rank of Sargent and was chosen to play in the U S Army Band. They traveled the country doing USO shows. (Fun fact: Lois and Don were married in Tijuana, Mexico). After Don's military service they traveled the country again, this time for work where in 1953 they settled in Yuma, Arizona, and soon thereafter they started Foster Electric. Lois began breaking down doors; when women were not in construction and they didn't bid Jobs, Lois did, and she won those jobs. No more "good old boys" in Yuma! That was only the beginning. After Foster Electric closed, she became the Director of the LARC for many years, while running the LARC she earned an Associates Degree at AWC and then became a part time instructor at AWC. When the LARC closed that didn't get her down, she then went to work for Yuma County Housing Authority as their Assistant Director. While working for Yuma County Lois earned her Bachelor's Degree in Business from the University of Phoenix then followed up with her Master's Degree in Human Resources from Webster University. When Lois retired from Yuma County it turned out she didn't retire after all.

She moved back to her home town on a part time basis for a full time job taking care of her mother, Keo, until her passing at the age of 102.

Then she had some fun and what fun she had, she remodeled her house in Yuma with a new kitchen, then she started to travel, to China to see the Great Wall of China, to Egypt to see the Great Pyramids of Giza and to see the other countries in the Mediterranean, to Cozumel, Mexico to play with monkeys and to see her crazy son jump off a boat.

Lois was a member of Toastmaster's International for 36 years, a member of Women in Construction and she was a friend of Bill W. for more than 50 years.

Lois and Don had 6 children... Carey D. Foster, (Virginia), granddaughter Heather Foster, grandson Shelby Stubbe, Susan K. de Wit, (Fred), granddaughter Sara Hansen, grandson Jon Hansen, great granddaughter Iris Hansen, Cabyn C. Foster died in infancy, Joseph M. Keaton, granddaughter Jessica Keaton, Kabyn A. Foster, (Marsha), grandson Tyler Foster, J. Shawn Foster, (Rose), granddaughter Emily Barbee, great grandson Jaxon (Paul) all of our four-legged "fur kids" that she loved so, especially her two dogs Austin and Tovie.

Celebration of life will be held October 29, 2016 from 2:00 p.m.– 4:00 p.m. at 834 S 20th Ave.

In lieu of flowers make donations to Hospice of Yuma.

Lois Anita Averill Foster had a wonderful and fascinating life that she enjoyed as it should be laughing to the end. Lois died peacefully on August 27th 2016. In her home with her family by her side. May everyone has a mother that was as great as she was, she will always be with us.

Arrangements under the direction of Funeraria del Angel, Yuma, AZ.