Obituary: Elsie Gayle Foster

Elsie Gayle Foster, 94, formerly of San Diego, CA, passed away on March 17, 2016, at Good Samaritan Scandia Village in Sister Bay, Wisconsin. She was born on September 24, 1921, in East Tawas, Michigan. Gayle was the second of three daughters born to Frederick James Adams and Elsie Marie Lange Adams of East Tawas. After completing high school, Gayle attended Michigan State University and was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority. After college and during World War II Gayle was a Stewardess with United Airlines based in Chicago. On numerous occasions she was recognized by the United for her outstanding service during the war. On May 3, 1947 she married her beloved husband, Thomas Milton Foster of Muskogee, OK, at the Great Lakes Naval Air Station Chapel in Great Lakes, IL. The couple had one daughter, Linda Gayle. Thomas preceded Gayle in death on April 11, 2005, after almost 58 years of marriage. As a Navy Officer’s family, the couple lived in Illinois, Louisiana, Virginia, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and California as his 30 years of service to his country required before retiring in California. Gayle moved from San Diego, CA, to Sister Bay, WI in March, 2010, to be closer to her family.

Gayle was a loving, caring and generous wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-aunt. As a Navy Officer’s wife Gayle was generous of her time and talents in support of the families of the men and women serving with her husband. She was active in Girl Scouts, PTA, and other school-related activities in support of her daughter. For many years she was a member of the PEO Chapter in Coronado, CA, and Rancho Bernardo, CA. While she was living in Pennsylvania she became an avid collector of antique furniture and cut glass. She was an accomplished painter of decorative tole tinware. Gayle took great pride in her house and garden. A neighbor once stated, “Only Gayle could spend all week working in the yard and maintaining her house, both inside and out, and manage to give a lovely dinner party on the weekend”. She was an accomplished bridge player, and in later years, an avid bingo player.

Survivors include her daughter, Linda (Tom Weisensel), Fish Creek, WI; two grand-daughters, Shaun (Joe Histed) of Avon, CO, and Jennifer of Dallas, TX; and a great-grandson, Russell Histed of Avon, CO. Gayle is also survived by her sister, Dorothy Jean Austin of Sault Ste. Marie, MI, and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Milton Foster, her parents and her sister, Fay Mary Adams Lincoln.

A family memorial service will be held at a later date. At her request Gayle will be buried at sea off the coast of San Diego, CA like her husband, Tom was. Casperson Funeral Home of Sister Bay, WI is handling the arrangements in Door County and with the U.S. Navy. Her name will be added to the Foster Family Stone, next to her husband’s name, in the Green Hill Cemetery in Muskogee, OK. Memorials in her memory may be made to the Good Samaritan Scandia Village Capital Campaign. The family would like to especially thank Unity Hospice and their nurses and all of the staff at the Good Samaritan Scandia Village for their loving care and concern. Gayle stated many times that she was so very thankful and happy to be in such a loving community.