James R. Foster

SIOUX CITY -- James R. "Jim" Foster, 56, of Sioux City passed away Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012, at his residence surrounded by his family, after a four-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel, with the Rev. Gary Snyder officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a vigil service at 7 p.m., at the funeral home. In true Jim fashion, the family encourages everyone to wear Iowa Hawkeye apparel to the visitation today. Condolences may be posted online at www.meyerbroschapels.com. Jim was born April 10, 1955, in Des Moines, the son of Richard and Virginia (Gering) Foster. He was raised in Des Moines and graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School. He then obtained his associate degree in accounting from Western Iowa Tech Community College. On March 13, 1976, he married his soul mate, Karen S. Little, in Elk Point, S.D. A short time later, their marriage was blessed at Our Lady of Immaculate Heart Church in Ankeny, Iowa. From this union came his pride and joy, his four children. Jim was employed for 14 years at Leblanc Communications until the company closed. He was currently employed at Braunger's Food Service for the last seven years, and was promoted to president/general manager shortly before his illness. He loved his job at Braunger's and always said his job was his hobby, not work. Jim was a coach for his kids' and grandkids' various athletic activities including being a board member of the SYA League. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeye and Chicago Bears fan. He enjoyed spending his Monday nights with his son, Jamie, golfing in the Sun Valley League. Jim was a devoted husband, dad, and grandpa who never missed his kids' or grandkids' sports or school activities. Survivors include his wife, Karen; four children and their spouses, Brandi and Jeff Duerksen, Monica and Matt Colella, Kristin and John Casotti, Jamie and LyAnn Foster, all of Sioux City; his parents, Richard and Virginia Foster of Des Moines; four siblings and their spouses, Ken and Janella Foster of Norwalk, Iowa, Mary and Mike Kruger of Texas, Nancy Roth of Des Moines, and Bill and Jenny Foster of Norwalk; 12 grandchildren, Kennedy, Peyton, Sylvia, Lexi, Issaiah, Foster, Mia, Carter, Madelyn, Joseph, Josh, and Kya; and his granddog, Ellie Mae Casotti. He was preceded in death by his parents-in-law, Russell and Mary Little. Pallbearers will be Jeff Duerksen, Matt Colella, John Casotti, Luke Casotti, Ron Foster, and Brian Craig. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren.