Virginia Foster

Virginia Foster, 88, of Perkins Pavilion, died Saturday, October 5, 2002 at Perkins Pavilion.

Services will be Friday, October 11, 2002; 10:30 A.M. at First Presbyterian Church with Dr. Carl W. Utley officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Hastings, Nebraska.

Virginia Foster was born October 20, 1913 in her grandfather's home at 221 East B. Hutchinson, Kansas to William Noah & Lydia (Montgomery) Sidlinger at 4:00 p.m. Eye problems prevented her attending school until the 4th grade. She graduated from Hutchinson Senior High School where she was active in many groups and was one of ten seniors selected by a community committee, named among the top graduates. She graduated from Hutchinson Junior College and then from Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas with a B.S. in Journalism. She grew up planning to be a concert musician and had won a number of honors in piano but switched to journalism at Manhattan, Kansas. She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. On August 8, 1940, she married Dr. Neil C. Gustafson and assisted him in his Veterinary practice in several Kansas towns. While at Lindsborg, their oldest son, Stephen was born; while stationed at Ft. Riley, their daughter, Deborah was born and while at McPherson, their youngest son, Mark was born. They moved to Hastings, Nebraska while the children were small in January 1956 to escape the Kansas drought. She was always active in young adults and women's work. She and Dr. Gustafson served two terms as Synod Skippers (President) and five years on the National Board as First Mates and were serving as Skippers when Dr. Gustafson died of a heart attack. Following his death, she managed the Physicians Building office for ten years. During this time, she married John B. Foster on July 8, 1967 and he preceded her in death in April 1999. They moved to Alliance, Nebraska for 11 years where she organized a four county genealogical society and began a home-based business in genealogical supplies, traveling as a vendor to workshops in seven states. She also was Editor of the Family Records Association Journal for nine years. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Hastings, Nebraska.

Virginia Foster was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, Dr. Neil C. Gustafson, John B. Foster, younger sister, Frances Jean and a brother, William Arthur.

Survivors include,
Daughter & Son-in-law: Deborah & Dennis Lyons - Grand Island, NE
Sons & Daughters-in-law: Stephen C. & Susan Gustafson - Peoria, IL
Mark M. & Danelle Gustafson - Tempe, AZ
6 Grandsons: Jonathan & Grady Stromer
Kevin & Eric Gustafson
Joshua & Mathew Gustafson
2 Granddaughters: Amber Stromer
Sheree Bastian
Great Granddaughter: Brianna Bastian
Sister-in-law: Lucille Lindh - Marquette, KS
Several cousins: Marjorie McCauley - CA
Mary Eirich - CA
Mary Ellen Morton - CA
Beth McCoy - AZ
John Sidlinger - KS
Marjorie Schreiber - KS
Robert Knightly- Omaha, NE
William Knightly - NM
John J. Knightly - KS
A number of Nephews & Nieces

Memorial may be given to First Presbyterian Church