Rev. Canon Loren S. Foot, 87
The Rev. Canon Loren S. Foot, 87, died of natural causes at Evergreen Health Center in Polson on June 2, 2007.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Cora Bateman; his stepmother, Gladys; his stepsister, Lea; his wife, Lucile; his brothers-in-law, Tom Mahan and Leo Miller; his sister-in-law, Shirley Mahan; and his grandson, Cameron York.
Born in Choteau, in 1919, his family later moved to Helena, where Loren attended Hawthorne Elementary and Helena High. He went on to attend Carroll College, the University of Montana, University of Montana Law School, and Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Va., where he received a Master in Divinity degree in 1976.
During World War II, Loren was an air traffic controller in the Pacific arena, continuing in that field in his civilian career with the Federal Aviation Administration for thirty-two years. After retiring he was ordained in the Episcopal Church and was a beloved priest for thirty-one years, both within the church and the outside community. Father Foot was passionately involved in the Cursillo/Pathways movement for over thirty years and was a spiritual director to many.
Before retiring, Loren served as a Montana priest in Eureka, Ferndale, Polson and the Episcopal Cathedral in Helena. However, he continued shepherding all who he encountered until the day he died. This second career or "calling" spanned 31 years.
His 45 year marriage to Lucile Mahan began in 1941. Their three children, Sharon and Rev. John Payne, Michael and Mary Foot, and Corey and John York, live in the area and treasure the quality time they had with their father these last three plus years, since he returned to Polson.
After Lucy's death in 1986, Loren retired from St. Andrew's in Polson and moved to Helena, where he married Erys Smart Mahan at the Congregational Church (UCC). She became an official "Congrepalian". They were married 21 years. Living in many places during his life, Loren made many wonderful and lasting friendships, his warmth and sense of humor drawing people to him.
To state a few activities, Loren belonged to SAE Fraternity and Bear Paws in college, the Toastmasters, Masons, Barbershop, American Red Cross, and Flathead Cherry Growers.
He will be missed SO MUCH by his friends and family which include his three children and spouses; his two stepdaughters and nieces, Coleen and Chuck, and Molly and Rick; his wife, Erys; his sister, Marian Miller; his stepsister, Shirley; his brother-in-law, Jack Mahan; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; thirteen stepgrandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and lots of godchildren.
Loren, Father Foot, father, husband, uncle, brother, stepfather/grandfather, grandpa, friend, mentor, Griz fan, loving man of God, you have left your gentle "Foot" print on the earth.
Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 30, in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, in Polson, with military honors following services at the church. A reception will be held in the basement of the church after services. At 10:30 a.m. Aug. 4, a memorial service will be held at St. Peter's Episcopal Cathedral, in Helena, with a reception to follow. Memorial donations are suggested to St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Heritage of Faith Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Port Polson Players, Camp Marshall Episcopal Church Camp.
Arrangements and cremation under the direction of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory in Polson.