Susan Lynn (Reault) Foster

At the age of 69, Susan Lynn Foster (Sue) died peacefully in her home, September 1, 2017, following a two-year battle with Ovarian Cancer. All along her cancer journey Sue has felt the love of the Lord in her life, and she was not afraid to die. She was born December 30, 1947 to Dr. Floyd and Anita Hamstrom in the town of Burlington, Washington. She graduated from Burlington-Edison High School in 1966 and then from the University of Puget Sound in 1970.

She began her teaching career in Pullman, Washington at Franklin Elementary School in 1970, and she remained there as a third and fourth grade teacher until she retired in 2003. Sue is lovingly remembered by her many students for her ability to encourage them to reach their potential and have fun while doing so. Sue treasured the long term friendships she developed with both students and parents, as well as with her many teaching colleagues.

In August of 1970, Sue married Greg Reault, and they had two sons, Erik in 1978 and Kyle in 1981. Over the years, Sue supported their school activities and attended their many sporting events. Sue and Greg later divorced, and in 2005, she married Jerry Foster, a long time friend and coworker. They sold their homes and built their dream house above the river in Palouse. Sue quickly became a part of the community and helped with many of the local events.

From high school on, Sue was lovingly known as the "phone queen" and would talk to her friends for hours on end, much to her mother's chagrin! Over her life she was very social and she totally enjoyed sharing lunches and get-togethers with her many friends. People often commented on her infectious laugh when she was on her outings (even in her classroom where at least one student called her Mrs. Laugh-A-Lot!). She loved going places, and Jerry often said that she should have been born with wheels instead of feet! Sue loved antiquing and shopping, and had fun decorating her home with many of her finds.

Sue was a member of the Whitman County Retired Teachers, P.E.O. Chapter FZ, Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumni Group, and attended the Palouse Federated Church. In addition, she has enjoyed many special times with her Bible Study Group in Pullman. For the past two years, she has met with four other women who have also been battling cancer. Sue benefitted from the close sharing and comradery that this group provided.

Sue's passion as a young woman was riding horses and showing her Quarter Horse, PJ. Sue's other hobbies included walking, reading, her two cats, Morris and Sadie, and traveling. Her last semester of college was spent in Vienna, Austria, and in more recent years she has been to Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico and Italy. Since marrying Jerry, she has enjoyed spending time at their small travel trailer near Laird Park where many days have been spent hiking, 4-wheeling, and appreciating the outdoors.

Sue's love of her family, her grandchildren, and her friends was at the forefront of everything she did. She will be missed by her loving husband of 12 years, Jerry, in Palouse; her son Erik Reault of Sammamish; her son Kyle (Melissa) Reault of Duvall, Washington; five beautiful grandchildren, Madison, Jack, Easton, Emersyn, and Dakota; by her loving sister and best friend, Sally (Rod) Dutton of Nevada City, California; by her niece, Rebecca Dutton, of Albuquerque, NM; and by her former daughter-in-law Tamara Reault. Sue is preceded in death by her loving parents, Floyd and Anita Hamstrom.

A service honoring Sue's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 9, 2017 at Palouse Federated Church, with a reception following at the Palouse Community Center. The family suggests memorial gifts be made to Palouse Federated Church or Friends of Hospice.
On-line guest book is at www.kimballfh.com
Kimball Funeral Home of Pullman is caring for Sue and the family.