Ada May Foster, 90

Ada May Foster, 90, peacefully passed away Aug. 15, 2023, in the presence of her family at Life Care Center of Coeur d'Alene. Ada May was born in Kimball, S.D., on Oct. 6, 1932, to Edward and Mayme Geppert.

Ada May graduated from Farmer High School (South Dakota) in the spring of 1950. She attended General State Teachers College in Madison, S.D., (now known as Dakota State University) and taught the following three years in a one-room schoolhouse south of Alexandria, S.D.

In June 1954, she married LeRoy Foster and they moved to Dante, S.D., where she continued teaching in another one-room schoolhouse.

Ada May and LeRoy had five children, the oldest born in Pickston, S.D., and the remaining four in St. Maries, Idaho. She taught several years in St. Maries before moving to Ronan, Mont. In Montana, Ada May taught in parochial and public schools, as well as working part time for the local Co-op. She volunteered as a 4-H leader, Cub Scout Den Mother, Parents Band Group, Friends of Library, Religious Education Coordinator for the local parish and various school activities.

Ada May and LeRoy moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, in 1978. Four children attended Montana State University (Bozeman, Mont.) and one attended North Idaho College and the University of Idaho. She was a substitute teacher in pre-school and kindergarten. Later working retail sales in the Diamond Shop and as a Media Relations manager for the local Co-ops. Ada May taught herself computer skills while editing and writing the Co-op newsletter, advertising and mailing lists. She also compiled yearly membership books and labels for various organizations. Ada May was Idaho Mother of the Year in 1987. She retired in 1995 and began work as a cashier and booth owner (with LeRoy) in several local area antique malls.

Ada May is survived by her five children, Walter Foster (Debbie) from Marshall, Va., LeAnn Richards (Patrick) from Hereford, Ariz., Ward Foster (Lani) from Boise, Idaho, Linda Foster from Bothell, Wash., and Sandra Sonnen (Gary) from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; six grandchildren, Brant Richards (Sierra Vista, Ariz.), Tashina Freeman (Sierra Vista), Kelsey Billingsley (Prosper, Texas), Jessica Sonnen (Boise), Joe Sonnen (Salt Lake City, Utah) and Essex Logan (Petersburg, Va.); six great-grandchildren, Waylen, Jax, Ella, Wells, Reese and Ava; sisters Rita Wagner (Seattle), Alida Geppert (Kalamazoo, Mich.) and Karen Fisher (Armstrong, Iowa); and brother Jim Geppert (Alexandria, S.D.).

Preceded in death by her husband, LeRoy Foster; brother Walter Geppert; parents Edward Geppert and Mayme Geppert; sister Peggy Ann Hanson; nephew Chad Geppert and grandson Warren Lee Foster.

Please come join the family for a visitation 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, at English Funeral Chapel, Coeur d’Alene. A memorial service and celebration of life for Ada May will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 625 E. Haycraft Ave., Coeur d'Alene. A burial will follow at St. Thomas Cemetery in Coeur d’Alene.

To engage in her online memorial, please visit www.englishfuneralchapel.com.