Arnold Gene Foster was born May 23, 1927 in Plainview, Nebraska to Joseph and Muriel (Baird) Foster. He was one of six children to grow up on the Foster farm. As a boy Arnold helped his father work around the farm and for other farmers in the area too. While working in a cornfield with a cornpicker at the age of 25, his hand got caught in the machinery. Arnold was able to quickly adapt to life with only one hand and it never seemed to slow him down. He married Shirley Ann Theis February 22, 1948. They made their home in Plainview where Arnold continued to work for area farmers and then later he worked for the City of Plainview Public Works for several years. They kept busy with their young family of two sons and a daughter too. In 1968 they moved to Lemon Grove, California where Arnold repaired and installed air conditioners and furnaces with his brother. He then became head custodian at the Lemon Grove school for 14 years. He was an extremely hard worker and had few hobbies other than the work he was doing. He could fix or repair anything and was always willing to help others whether it was his church or his neighbors. After retiring, Arnold and Shirley enjoyed traveling, playing cards with friends and he found time to take up painting. Shirley passed away in 1995 and Arnold moved to Colfax to be closer to his daughter, Nancy. Following his move to the Hill-Ray Plaza, he became the handyman and custodian around the place and also served as President of the Board of Directors for two years. He could often be seen outside either mowing the lawn or moving snow from the walks. He and Lori Scott met at Hill-Ray and were married on September 26, 2008. He is survived by his wife, Lori, at their home; sons Gene and his wife Linda Foster and Mark Foster both of Jackson, Ohio and his daughter, Nancy and her husband Dennis Lintvedt of Colfax; 9 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and three sisters; Ruth Petersen of Lincoln, Nebraska, Doris Jenkinsen and her husband Dale of Muscatine, Iowa and Eileen Anderson and her husband Del of Ramona, CA. In addition to his first wife, Shirley, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Keith and Marvin. A Graveside Service will be held Tuesday, September 27th at 1:00 p.m. in the Colfax Cemetery with Pastor Floyd Overstreet officiating. A small reception will follow at Hill-Ray. Memorial gifts are suggested to the Friends of Hospice, 1610 NE Eastgate Blvd, #850, Pullman, WA 99163 or to Hill-Ray Plaza, 801 S. Vista Point Dr, Colfax, WA 99111. On-line guest book is at www.bruningfuneralhome.com
Bruning Funeral Home, Colfax, is in charge of the arrangements.