BrennaJne - Pierce County Herald

James Grady, Sr. died at his home in this town on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 1908 at the age of 69 years 7 months and 29 days.  Mr. Grady settled in this town on the farm where he died about the year 1870.  He was taken sick on Sunday the 9th inst. but after a visit from his physician he seemed to recover rapidly. Tuesday he was up around the house playing with his grandchildren until about 1:30 p.m. when he suffered a stroke of apoplexy from which he died at 3 p.m.  He leaves surviving him three sons- James, Jr. of Great Falls, Mont., Michael of Trimbelle and Roger of Cornet, Mont.  The funeral services were held last Friday Morning at the Big River Catholic church and his remains buried beside those of his wife who died in July 1884, and their children who died in infancy.  As a boy of nine or ten years of age the writer will always remember his kindly genial smile which was familiar to all his neighbors and friends.  Extending our sympathies to the surviving members who were old playmates and schoolmates, we bid our old friend who is gone farewell.  James Grady, Jr. came home to the funeral of his father.  Roger was so far from telegraph communications that he did not get the telegram in time to come. Mrs. Samuel Shanks of Brainard, Minn. mother of Mrs. Michael Grady, was down to the funeral.

Joe Chase - Prescott Transcript, 3 October 1857

Died: In Clifton on the 26th, Riley H. Ives, age 59

Debbie Barrett - Spring Valley Sun

Rebecca C. Housler was born July 1st, 1819 in Pennsylvania.  At the age of twenty-six she was united in marriage with Nathaniel Britton.  All of a family of eight children have preceded her to the promised land but three-one daughter, Mrs. P.J. Webb and two sons, Augustine and Sylvenus.  One son, a soldier gave his life for the Stars and Stripes.  Directly after the close of the war the family moved to Iowa but did not like the prairie country, so came to eastern Pierce Co., being among the first settlers in what was then a wilderness; and here among the hills synonomous of the Alleghany Mountains she had loved, the rest of her life was spent; and here surrounded by those who were nearest and dearest to her, the curtains of life were drawn softly at its close.  Since the death of her husband in 1894 she had made her home with her son Augustine, and tenderly and faithfully have they cared for her in her declining years.
For sixteen years she has been nearly blind.  She was often heard to say "They are so good, so good to me, but I long to go."  She was a thoroughly domestic woman, and her greatest joys in life lay in ministering of her homely duties, never so happy as when surrounded by her children and grandchildren, sympathetic by nature, her heart went out to those sick or in trouble.  And never a hand more gently was lain on a throbbing head than hers.  She and her husband were charter members of the Free Will Baptist Church in Cady Creek, and remained members of that church leading pious, Christian lives to the end.  Besides her sons and daughter, she leaves twenty grandchildren and twenty-nine great-grandchildren.

Pat Kangas - Amery Free Press - January 1943

Sudden Death of Mrs. C.H. Clay Shocks Community: This community was saddened and shocked by the untimely death of Mrs. C.H. Clay at her home in Amery early Monday morning.  Only 47 years of age at the time of her death and the mother of 3 children, Mrs. Clay suffered but a short illness. Funeral services will be held today (Thursday) at the Congregational church at 1:30 p.m. with Rev. A.W. Sneesby in charge.  Interment will be at River Falls.  Helen Hanson Clay was born at River Falls, Wis. on Nov. 19th, 1895 and grew to girlhood there.  She attended the public schools and teacher's college of that city.  After graduating from the normal school she went to Troy, Montana to teach and while there was married to C.H. Clay in 1921. To them were born three children, Joyce, Charles and Patsy.  In the fall of 1927 the family moved to Amery which city had been her home until her death.  Mrs. Clay was a member of the Congregational church, the Order of the Eastern Star, the American Legion Auxiliary and the Auxiliary of the Nile.  Surviving her are her husband and three children; her mother, Mrs. Belle Hanson of River Falls; one sister, Mrs. Stella Nelson of Grand Forks, N.D. and two brothers, Leslie and Fred, both of River Falls. (Mrs. Clay's body was later removed to the cemetery in Amery)

Mertt - River Falls Journal

Mrs. Lucy Eaton died at her home in this city, Dec. 1 (1912-yr. taken from family bible), at the age of seventy-four years.  Lucy Farnsworth was born at Washington, N.H. June 30, 1838.  In 1855 she came west and in the following year she was married to Belden Eaton at Prescott by Rev. Rogers.  Mr. and Mrs. Eaton made their home in River Falls practically all their married life and here Mr. Eaton died March 10, 1911. Mrs. Eaton is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Viola McGuire and Mrs. Grace Thelander, both of this city; and three sons, Bion of Minneapolis, Henry of Mountain Home, Idaho, and Irvin of this city, she leaves also three sisters and two brothers, Mrs. Hattie Getchell of Chicago, Mrs. Elida Boughton of St. Paul, Mrs. Arley Hawn of Flint, Michigan, Osro Fransworth of Wahpeton, N.D. and Austin Farnsworth of Mountain Home, Idaho.  The funeral was held at the home Wednesday afternoon.

Janice Morgan Weber - Maiden Rock Press

Pioneer Passes Away: (April 3, 1914) (Article written April 10, 1914)

Mrs. Nancy Foster-Taylor was born in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, January 23, 1823 and was united in marriage to Mr. Philip Castor Taylor, in Mifflin County, Pa., in 1840, and passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Thomas Morgan Thursday, April 2.  At the time of her death she was 91 years, 2 months and 11 days old.
Mrs. & Mrs. Taylor came to Pierce County, with their family in 1859, where they have since resided.  She leaves to mourn their loss, an aged husband, who is now 94 years of age, six daughters and three sons, besides a host of neighbors and friends.  This aged couple have made their home with their daughter, Mrs. Morgan, for the past 17 years and will be greatly missed by the family and especially by her aged husband.  She was a member of the Baptist church and has always led a Christian life and was a most devoted wife and mother.
Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Rosencrans at the M.E. church at Grange Hall Saturday, April 4, after which her remains were tenderly laid to rest in the Grange Hall cemetery.

Mertt - River Falls Journal

Belden Ressequie Eaton was born in Orleans County New York, August 30, 1832 and came to Pierce County in 1854 to this place at a time when there were only three building in River Falls, then known as Greenwood.  July 4, 1856 he married Lucy A. Farnsworth.  In 1862 he enlisted in Co. A, 30th Wisconsin Infantry and served until the close of the Civil War after which Mr. and Mrs. Eaton lived four years on the Lone Mound Farm.  Since then they have made their home in this city.  His death occurred Monday (March 18, 1911), following a long illness.  The funeral took place Wednesday afternoon, Rev. William Gray conducting the service at the home while I.N. Nicholas post was in charge of the G.A.R. services at the grave.  His wife and five children, Henry, Bion, and Irving Eaton, and Mrs. Viola McGuire and Mrs. Otto Thelander survive him.  Mr. Eaton was county surveyor of Pierce County by election thirteen years.  Practically he has had active supervision of the work of the office almost continuously in much of the interval since the close of the Civil War.  As a citizen and as a workman he was quiet and undemonstrative, yet effective.  Sumner Farnsworth and Mrs. Etta Davis of St. Paul and Miss Hattie Eaton and Truman Eaton and Mrs. Abner Fenton of Ellsworth, Alvey Matteson of Spring Valley, Mrs. Jamie Stirratt of Oak Grove and Mrs. Jenny Farnsworth and Bion Eaton of Minneapolis were here to attend the funeral.

Cathy Darby Stephens - Baldwind Bulletin - April 3, 1919

Dated:  April 3, 1919

Died - Andres Lien, one of the oldest settler's in this vicinity, died at his home Tuesday, March 25, after a short illness.  His wife, three daughters, two sons and many friends are left to mourn his loss.

Andrea Peterson - Spring Valley Sun

Dated:  February 15, 1923

John Karl Peterson:  J.K. Peterson was born April 29, 1852, in Denmark, and came to this country with others of his family when twenty-one.  His other died of a stroke when the ship was only a day's sail from New York.  He and his father came to Stockholm, Pepin Co.  At Stockholm he married Anna Louise Linder June 1st, 1879; they lived at Stockholm for many years, where Mr. Peterson ran a shoe shop and also did livery business, carrying mail from Stockholm to Durand.  They also kept a hotel there.  Later Mr. Peterson secured contract for carrying mail from Maiden Rock to Woodville and return, supplying Spring Valley, Olivet, Rock Elm, Waverly and Ono post offices with a daily mail alternately from the north and from the south.  When Spring Valley started up the family moved there, living there till a few years ago when he gave his shoe shop to his sons and went to Hibbing, Minn.  Later they went to Hayward to live with their daughter, Mrs. Will Collett.  Here he died on Feb. 7th, 1923, from the last of a series of paralytic strokes, the first of which occurred before they left Spring Valley.  Burial was at Spring Valley Saturday, from the congregational church, Rev. Lambright officiating.  To Mr. and Mrs. Peterson were born eight children, five of whom survive - Levi, of Hayward; Carl, of Spring Valley; Mrs. W.A. Collett, of Hayward; Mrs. Luigi Buons, of Hibbing, Minn.; and Mrs. Ed Copper, of Baronette.  Mr. Peterosn was a man who made friend of all who met him - always pleasant, with a good word and a kind action for all.  He will be missed by hundreds of the Sun's readers, who extend the sorrowing family their sincere sympathy.  CARDS OF THANKS  We wish to thank all of our Spring Valley friends for all the kindness and sympathy shown us during the burial of our dear husband and father, J.K. Peterson.  The Peterson Family.

George Foss - River Falls Journal

Anna Mathilda Foss - 1847-1932

Mrs. A.E. Foss.  Anna Mathilda Jensen was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, December 20, 1847 and was the daughter of Anna and Soren Jensen.  At the age of seven she came to America with her father and brother Christian.  Her mother died when she was a babe.  After living in New York City several years they came to St. Paul in 1857, which was her home until she married Andrew Foss, who preceded her in death 14 years ago.  Living on the farm became a drudgery and so they moved to River Falls, which has been her home for 18 years.  She passed to her heavenly home December 29, 1932 at the good age of 85 years and 9 days.  She leaves to mourn her departure a daughter, Mrs. Louisa Eaton of River Falls and sons, William, of Beldenville and Chris and Arthur of River Falls, nine grandchildren, also one half-brother, Elling, of Esmond, N.D. and one half-brother, Andrew Jensen, of Oakland, Calif., besides nieces and nephews and a host of friends.  She was very kind, devoted mother to all who knew her and true to her faith and never failed to attend church whenever her health permitted.  Two sons, Oscar and George, a daughter, Emelia (Mrs. Robert Steien) have preceded her in death.  Funeral services were held at the South Rush River Church Monday at 2 o'clock, conducted by Rev. A. Johnson and Rev. Jothen.  She was laid to rest beside her husband and daughter in the South Rush River Church cemetery.

George Foss - River Falls Journal-Martell News

Died-at Pierre, S.D. hospital on Friday, Aug. 17, Mrs. Robert Steien (nee Emelia Jenssena Foss) age 25 years.  Deceased was the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.E. Foss of South Martell, where she grew to womanhood.  She was an accomplished dressmaker and milliner.  She was working at the latter trade at Hetland, S.D. when she became acquainted with Robert Steien, to whom she was married Dec. 9, 1905.  They lived at Fort Pierre, S.D. where Mr. Steien is engaged in the hardware business.  About six weeks ago she was taken to the Pierre hospital to undergo an operation.  She was seemingly better for a while until blood poison set in then the angel of death came and called her home to her Savior and two brothers, Oscar and George, who had gone before.  The deceased was born at Hammond, Wisconsin Feb. 14, 1881.  Emelia was a jolly, kindhearted lady and well liked by all her associates.  She leaves husband, father, mother, one sister, Mrs. Irvin Eaton, of River Falls, a brother, William, of Beldenville and Christian and Arthur at home; and a host of friends to mourn her early death.  Her husband arrived here with the remains Sunday morning and interment took place at the South Rush River cemetery Monday afternoon at 2 p.m., Rev. T.H. Haugan officiating.  The relatives from away were Miss Solveig Christiansen of River Falls, and William Jensen of St. Paul, both cousins of the deceased.  The whole community deplores the early death of this esteemed lady and extends heartfelt sympathy to the relatives in their bereavement.  CARD OF THANKS - we wish to thank all those who so kindly helped and donated flowers for the burial of our beloved wife, daughter and sister, Robert Steien, Mr. and Mrs. A.E. Foss and children.

George Foss - River Falls Journal

April 10, 1919  Obituary, Andrew Emil Oleson Foss 1847-1919

Andrew Emil Foss, age 71 years 11 months and 20 days died at his home on Sixth street last Wednesday afternoon, of a combination of bronchitis and heart failure.  Mr. Foss was born in Christiania, Norway, April 12, 1847.  He came to America when 19 years old, working at his trade of blacksmith at Sandy Hook, New York, then moving west, first to Chicago and then locating in New Richmond, Wisconsin, where he met his future wife, Anna Jensen.  After taking employment at Copper Harbor, Michigan, Anna joined him there with her four year old son, Oscar Jensen.  Andrew Foss and Anna Mathilda Jensen were married in Houghton, Michigan on September 5, 1874.  They resided at Copper Harbor until 1878 when they moved to rural Hammond, Wisconsin where Andrew established a blacksmith shop.  Then, in 1888, Andrew, with his family moved to South Martel, Wisconsin, where he established a new blacksmith shop, at which place they lived until Mr. Foss retired in 1918 on account of ill health, and they moved to River Falls, Wisconsin.  Mr. Foss is survived by his wife and four children:  Lousia (Mrs. Irvin Eaton) and Arthur C. Foss of this city, William A. of Beldenville, and Chris O. Foss of Ellsworth.  Mr. Foss was preceded in death by two sons, George (a babe) and his adopted son Oscar, and a daughter, Emelia (Mrs. Robert Steien).  Funeral services were held Friday, a short service at the home, and then the remains were taken to rest beside those of his daughter (Emelia Steien) who died several years ago.

George Foss - River Falls Journal

Irvin E. Eaton

Irvin E. Eaton, a life-long resident of this city died at his home here, Tuesday, June 22, after an illness of two years.  Mr. Eaton was born in River Falls, August 31, 1866.  He was well known and well liked by a wide circle of friends in this community.  Mr. Eaton was a man of kindly nature and always willing to lend a helping hand.  He was a member of the Forester and Beaver lodges and an active worker in both.  Mr. Eaton is survived by his widow (nee Louisa Foss), a sister, Mrs. Otto Thelander of this city and two brothers, H.H. Eaton of Mountain Home, Idaho and Bion Eaton of Excelsior, Minnesota.  Funeral services conducted by Rev. A.L. Rustad, were held this afternoon at the Lutheran House of Worship.  The remains were buried in Greenwood cemetery.

George Foss - River Falls Journal

Jan. 10, 1946, Mrs. Louisa Eaton

Mrs. Louisa Eaton was born October 3, 1876 at Copper Harbor, Michigan to Andrew E. and Anna M. Foss, and passed away peacefully in her sleep December 31, 1945 at her home in River Falls.  Louisa went to grade school at the nearby South Rush River School then received her teaching certificate at the Normal School in River Falls.  She taught school at the Morton Corner School for several years.  Louisa was united in marriage to Irvin Eaton August 28, 1902, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church at South Martell.  Irvin passed away June 22, 1926.  Funeral services were held Thursday, January 3, 1946 at 2 p.m. at the Lutheran House of Worship, Rev. Arthur S. Johnson officiating.  Interment at Greenwood cemetery beside her husband.  Pall-bearers were Fred Peterson, Mr. Bakke, Mr. Monicken, Anton Anderson and Nels Parsons.  She was a faithful member of the Lutheran Church and also a member of the Women's Relief Corps for many years.  She leaves to mourn her passing three brothers:  William Foss of Beldenville, Chris and Arthur of this city.  Three nieces and six nephews and a host of friends.  Those from out of town attending the funeral were her cousins, Mr. and Mrs. C. Parkhurst and W.S. Jensen of St. Paul, Minnesota, and Grace Axt of Hudson, and Mrs. V.B. Halls of Ellsworth.  Mrs. Orville Tostrud and Miss Maxine Retrum sang.   Miss Marie Fossing, organist.  The hymns were "When a New Day is Breaking" and "In the Garden".

George Foss - River Falls Journal

Died.  Oluf Nelson was suddenly and tragically killed while loading sand for the new Normal at the Foster pit near the Junction power plant.  Mr. Nelson was born in 1883, a native of Norway, and died on December 2, 1913.  Oluf and Solveig Christiansen were married March 7, 1907 in River Falls.  Mr. Nelson with his wife and five year old daughter, Esther, had just got settled on the farm which he had purchased a few weeks ago of Mr. Grossert.  He was an enterprising young man, exemplary in all his habits, and clearly beloved by all who knew him.  His disposition was always cheerful and he made friends wherever he went.  The sincere and heartfelt sympathy of the entire community goes out to the bereaved wife and child, who have so suddenly and tragically lost a loving, faithful husband and father.  Mr. Nelson is survived by his widow, Solveig (nee Christiansen), and his daughter, Esther, his father-in-law Gustav Christiansen of River Falls and a brother Nels Nelson of Ellsworth.  Funeral services were held from the home on Friday morning at 10:30 a.m.

George Foss - Ellsworth Herald

William A. Foss 1883-1960

Funeral services were held at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon at the English Lutheran Church for William Andrew Foss, 77, well-known Beldenville resident who passed away at the Hudson Memorial Hospital Wednesday, March 23.  Mr. Foss operated a grocery store in Beldenville for more than 30 years before selling out to Carl Gutting in 1947.  He was born Jan. 28, 1883 at Hammond, Wisconsin.  When a child he moved to South Martell with the family and attended the South Rush River School and later a business college in St. Paul.  He worked as a clerk in grocery stores in Martell, Lawton, and Beldenville before purchasing the F.A. Severance store in Beldenville in 1915.  He later moved the store to the old creamery building which he remodeled.  He is survived by his wife, Nina, a daughter, Mr. Leo Stoetzel, of Beldenville, a son Gordon, of Elyria Ohio; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, a brother Chris of River Falls.  Rev. R.T. Hendrickson officiated at the funeral services Saturday.  Interment was at the Beldenville cemetery.  Pallbearers were Clayton Helmer, Carl Gutting, Earl Tilbury, Earl Younggren, Victor Gilbertson and Russell Davidson.

George Foss - Ellsworth Herald

Nina O. Foss 1884-1974

Mrs. Nina Foss, 89, Beldenville, Dies.  Mrs. Nina O. Foss, 89, a former resident of the Beldenville community died Sunday in Pierce County Manor where she had been a resident seven years.  Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon in the Winberg Funeral Home with Rev. T.M. Nelson officiating.  Burial was made in the Beldenvile cemetery.  Born Sept. 9, 1884, in Martell, she was the daughter of Olaf and Pauline Forsythe.  She was married to William Foss in 1905.  They lived in Beldenville and operated the general store there 50 years.  Surviving are two children, Mrs. Leo Stoetzel of Beldenville and Gordon of Austin, Minn.; seven grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren; a brother, Stanley Forsythe of White Bear Lake, Minn.  She was preceded in death by her husband, four brothers and a sister.

George Foss - River Falls Journal

Christian Oscar Foss

Mr. Chris Foss passed away very suddenly Monday morning February 27, 1967 at the River Falls city hospital.  He had been enjoying good health until he contracted a mild case of pneumonia which resulted in an apparent heart attack after only one days illness.  He was born on a farm five miles northwest of Hammond, St. Croix County, Wisconsin, April 3, 1885.  Chris was the last living member of the family of Andrew E., and Anna Mathilda Jensen Foss.  In 1888 his parents moved the family to South Martell in Pierce Co., Wisconsin.  It was here that he grew to manhood.  He started as a clerk in a grocery store at Ono, Wisconsin.  On September 7, 1910 he was united in marriage to Maud Winter of Esdaille, Wisconsin.  They lived in Ellsworth, Wisconsin where Mr. Foss was in the grocery business.  It was here that they raised a family of three boys and one girl:  Myron O., Donald, Elaine (Mrs. Charles Stapelton) and Duane Lynn.  In 1926 they moved to River Falls, Wisconsin where he was employed by the Equity Elevator, and then the Red & White Store up until he retired.  He was well-known on Main Street and gained a host of friends with his quiet and friendly personality.  He will be sadly missed by all.  Besides his parents, four brothers; Oscar, George, William A. and Arthur C., and two sisters; Emelia Steien and Louisa Eaton; a son Donald and his wife Maud have preceded him in death.  He leaves to mourn his departure two sons, Myron O. of Burbank, California and Duane Lynn of Long Beach, California, a daughter, Mrs. Charles L. Stapleton of Minneapolis, Minnesota, six grandchildren, besides nieces and nephews and a host of friends.  Funeral services were held Thursday March 2, at 10 a.m. from the Ezekial Lutheran Church, Rev. Jule Berndt officiating.  The pallbearers were:  Peter and Paul Stapleton of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Thomas Foss of St. Paul, Minnesota, George Foss of River Falls, Wisconsin and DuWayne Eldred of River Falls, Wisconsin.  Interment at Greenwood cemetery beside his wife.

George Foss - River Falls Journal

Maud L. Foss

Mrs. C.O. Foss was born on May 28, 1892 to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Winter at Esdaille, Wisconsin.  She passed away at her home, 301 North Pearl Street, River Falls, Wisconsin on January 7, 1956.  Maud Winter was united in marriage to C.O. Foss September 7, 1910.  To this union four children were born:  Donald, Myron of Burbank, Calif., Elaine (Mrs. C.L. Stapleton) of Minneapolis and Duane in the U.S. Navy and now stationed in Norfolk, VA.  Mrs. Foss is survived by her husband, one daughter, two sons, her aged parents, two sisters and a brother (Mrs. V.B. Halls of East Ellsworth and Mrs. P.V. McCue and Harold Winter of Winona, Minn.) six grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and many friends.  She was preceded in death by one son, Donald, August 25, 1954 and a sister Gertrude, April 6, 1934.  Mrs. Foss was a member of the  Lutheran Church in River Falls, the Eastern Star, Royal Neighbors, Women's Relief Corps and the American Legion Auxiliary.  Funeral services were held on Tuesday, January 10, 1956 from the Lutheran House of Worship in River Falls.  Interment was held in Greenwood cemetery with Rev. Arthur A. Johnson officiating.  Visitations were held from the Segerstrom Funeral Home.

George Foss - River Falls Journal

Bessie Jo Lana Foss 1896-1945

Mrs. Arthur Foss was born March 16, 1896 to Mr. and Mrs. George B. Smith at Auroraville, Wisconsin, and passed away at her home at 128 West Cascade Avenue, River Falls, on December 28, 1945, after a months illness.  Bessie Smith was united in marriage to Arthur C. Foss November 26, 1919 in St. Paul, Minnesota.  To this union were three children were born:  LaVerne (Mrs. Glen Gerhardt) of Madison, Wisconsin; Norman, living at home; and George of the US Navy, stationed at San Francisco, Calif.  Mrs. Foss was a member of the Lutheran Church in River Falls, the Royal Neighbors, Women's Relief Corps, and the Lutheran Ladies Aide.  She was a kind and living wife and mother, and will be sadly missed.  Four brothers preceded her in death:  Ezra, Arthur, Ward and Arlo.  Brother and sisters who survive are:  Clarence, Clifford, Charles, Wallace, Gertie (Mrs. Fay Miller), Ruth (Mrs. Vernon Erickson), and Belle (Mrs. Homer Annis).  Visitation was held at the Lusk & Finn Funeral home, and the funeral services were held at the Ezekial Lutheran Church in this city at 2 o'clock, December 31, 1945, with Rev. Arthur S. Johnson officiating.  Interment was in Greenwood cemetery.  Pallbearers were:  Harry Laramy, Harrison Smith, Raymond Smith, Percy Pace, Alfred Matzek and Robert Smith.  Mrs. Orville Tostrud and Miss Maxine Retrum sand and Miss Marie Fossing was the organist.  The hymns sung were:  "When the Mist Has Rolled Away," and "My Faith Looks Up to Thee".

George Foss - River Falls Journal

Arthur Carl Foss 1889-1958

Arthur C. Foss was born at South Martell, Wisconsin on October 11, 1889.  He was the son of Andrew E. and Anna Mathilda Jensen Foss.  He died Jun 10, 1958 at Veteran's Hospital, Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Hodgkin's disease diagnosed about January, 1958.  Mr. Foss grew to manhood on the farm at South Martell and attended the South Rush River School and later a business school at Austin, Minnesota.  He started as a clerk in stores at Washburn, Boardman and Baldwin.  He sold insurance and real estate for the banker, Theodore Smith, of River Falls until he was drafted for military service in 1918.  Upon discharge, he purchased the Lawton General store which he operated until 1922, then moving to River Falls.  He was a house painter until he became to ill to work.  Mr. Foss married Bessie Jo Lana Smith on November 26, 1919 in St. Paul, Minnesota.  To this union three children were born:  LaVerne (Mrs. Glenn Gerhardt of Madison, WI), Norman A. and George D., both of River Falls.  He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, two brothers, Oscar and George, and two sisters, Emelia Steien and Louisia Eaton.  He is survived by his three children, six grandchildren, two brothers, William of Beldenville, and Chris of River Falls, nieces and nephews, and many friends.  Visitation was held at the Segerstrom Funeral home and services were held at the Ezekial Lutheran Church, Rev. Arthur S. Johnson officiating.  Interment was in the Greenwood Cemetery beside his wife.  Pallbearers were:  Francis Kelly, Harry Johnson, Robert Evenson, Neil Barron, Bert Michael and Joe Carlson.