Stella V. Foster

Surrounded by her family, Stella Victoria Foster, age 92, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 13, 2014, at her residence.  She was born July 3, 1922, in Saginaw, MI, daughter of the late Boleslaw and Stephina (Nee: Hojricka) Ziolkowski.

Stella graduated from Washington Park High School “Class of 1940.”  On December 27, 1941, she was united in marriage to Marvin J. Foster Sr., who preceded her in death in 1995. Stella was a member of Holy Name/St. Richard’s Catholic Church for over 75 years.

She was employed as a clerk at the Racine County Court House from 1968 – 1984.   Stella was a volunteer at Toys for Tots for 12 years and also at Wadewitz Elementary School for several years helping 1st and 2nd graders improve their reading skills.  She also volunteered as an usher for many years at the Racine Theater Guild.  She enjoyed gardening, cooking, baking, traveling, knitting, reading and supporting all Wisconsin sports teams, especially the Green Bay Packers.  More than anything, it was time spent with her family she treasured the most.  She will be dearly missed.

Surviving are her children, Marvin J. “Skip” (Kathy) Foster Jr., Richard W. “Dick” (Terrie) Foster, Suzanne L. “Sue” Foster, Cynthia J. “Cindy” (Frank Giandenoto) Foster, and James R. “Jim” Foster; grandchildren, Gary Thompson, Brad Foster, Marc (Jennifer) Giandenoto, Brian (Nathan) Foster; great-grandchildren, Alec Romano and Addison Giandenoto; siblings, Josephine Ziolkowski, Jennie Jensen, Catherine (Lyle) Sweet, Ben Ziolkowski, Ted (Jean) Wasiak; other relatives and dear friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Sue Foster, in 1994; stepfather, Vincent Wasiak in 1960; and sisters, Sophia Ziolkowski, in 1928, Mary Lesnik, in 1997, and Bernice Blagec, in 2013.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, July 17, 2014, at 11 a.m. at St. Richard’s Catholic Church, 1503 Grand Ave., with Reverend Ron Gramza officiating.  Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32.  Relatives and friends may meet with the family Thursday at the church from 10 a.m. until time of Mass.  In lieu of flowers, please consider donating a memorial to St. Richard’s Building Fund, The American Cancer Society, or a charity of your choice.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Donna Lathrop for her longtime friendship and support, sharing in the good times and bad, plus a few laughs along the way; to Jeannie, her instructor in exercise class and all of the ladies in the class for your help, friendship and support over the years; and to the staff of Wheaton Franciscan Hospice for their loving and compassionate care. Many hugs to her nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Maresh-Meredith and Acklam Funeral Home
803 Main St.,  Racine,  WI   (262) 634-7888