Wallace Ellsworth Moe Foster, 87

Wallace Ellsworth "Moe" Foster, 87, has flown west. Wally Foster passed away on June 29, 2010, in Mobridge, S.D., after a fine day of fishing with his friend and companion Bert Kasper. He was born on Sept. 28, 1922, in Littlefork, Minn. He first came to Montana when he was 15 working on a farm in Plentywood, then returned to Minnesota to finish school. After completing school, he came back to Montana to work in the timber industry. He joined the Navy in 1942 and married his high school sweetheart, Alma Kjemperud in December of that year. Alma was working as Rosie the Riveter for the Douglas Aircraft Company in Long Beach, Calif. Due to his experience with heavy equipment Wally was assigned to the Seabees (US Navy Construction Battalion). After building runways in Gander, Newfoundland and Goose Bay, Labrador, he landed on Omaha Beach the day after D-Day driving his D6 Caterpillar. The British Army had no heavy equipment or operators, and as a result, Wally was attached to Montgomery s British First Army and traveled all the way through Belgium and Germany until the end of the war. Upon being discharged, he returned to Littlefork, spending a short period of time before moving to Montana with Alma and his son Dennis, who was born while he was away. He worked for Woods and Dempsey as a logger and moved on to American Timber Company, and in 1948, to Royal Logging, working for Holly Larson. In 1948 a second son, Richard, also joined the family, followed in 1951 by a daughter, Vicki. Wally resigned as the Logging Superintendent for Royal Logging after 27 years of service. During this period Wally earned his pilot s license. He continued flying into his 70s and his love of aviation lasted the rest of his life. Wally went to work for Foster Construction, headed by his son Dennis, and shortly thereafter, Dick joined them. He was still participating in the company up until age 85. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ira and Stella; his wife, Alma; his sister, Jeannie; his brother, Ray; and two grandsons, Ryan and Chris. He is survived by his companion, Bert Kasper; his sister, Iris Byrne of Missoula; Dennis and Barbara Foster of Somers; Dick and Tammy Foster of Whitefish; Vicki and Doug Bader of Castle Rock, Colo.; six granddaughters; and seven great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 6, at Christ Lutheran Church in Whitefish. Donations can be made to the Hoo Hoo Club Needy Children s Fund, P.O. Box 129, Somers, MT 59932, or to the charity of your choice.