Larry Eugene Foster, 60

Larry Eugene Foster passed away with his wife and family by his side on Thursday morning, Feb. 2, 2012, at Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minn., at the age of 60.

Larry was born Dec. 19, 1951, in Rapid City, S.D., to Loyd and Patricia (Morgan) Foster. At the age of 10, he moved with his family to Kalispell, and at age 16 to Northfield, Minn. He graduated Northfield High School in 1970 and, following graduation, he returned to Montana.

He returned to Northfield in 1971 and began working in the auto parts business. On Oct. 19, 1977, he and Deb (Peterson) DeWolfe were married in Watertown, S.D. Together they owned and operated B & A Parts Supply in Lakeville, S.D., until 1989, and Carquest Auto Parts in Lakeville and Farmington, S.D. until 1991. They later divorced.

Larry’s career included working for Carquest Auto Parts in Northfield and Prior Lake, Minn., Recycling Specialists, Inc. in Northfield, and Airtex as a zone manager. In February 1995, Larry established Foster’s Fireside Lounge in Dennison, Minn., which he owned and operated with his future wife, Gail (Schuette) Petersen.

Larry and Gail married on Aug. 5, 2000, at Urland Church in Sogn, Minn. They sold the business in July 1998, and Larry began his current career working at Dokmo Ford/Chrysler in Northfield as a sales and leasing rep.

Larry was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.

He enjoyed boating, fishing, going to the hunting shack, playing euchre, ducks, and being with his family and friends. He was social, kindhearted, generous, giving, and known for his whistle.

Survivors include his wife, Gail; his son, Michael, of Burnsville, Minn.; his grandchildren, Ali and Isaac; his father and stepmother, Loyd and Joedy Foster, of Kalispell; his mother and stepfather, Patricia and Darril Dern, of Kalispell; his stepchildren, Tammy and husband Jamey Sirek of Lonsdale, Minn., Chad and Chantell Johnson of Northfield, and Brent Petersen of Northfield; his stepgrandchildren, Olivia, Cecelea, Owen, Ethan, Julia and Kelly; his sisters, Kim and husband Mike Hughes of Joliet, and Regena and husband Marcus Grinestaff of Billings; his in-laws, Art and Betty Schuette, of Northfield; nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his brother Daniel.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 6, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 418 E. Sumner St., in Northfield, with the Rev. Craig Ellingboe officiating. Music will be provided by Chad Johnson, Donna Paulsen and Barb Moore.

Casket bearers will be Linda DeMann, Layton Fossum, Ethan Johnson, Lenny Moore, Bill Pryor and Greg Schuette. Visitation will be 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. Visitation will continue at the church on Monday one hour prior to the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home;  www.northfieldfuneral.com