Earl R. Foster

Earl R. Foster, age 77, of Hastings, passed away on January 21, 2025 at his home.

Earl was born on March 25, 1947 in Hastings, Minnesota to Cecil and Agnes (Furney) Foster. During high school, Earl had many jobs. He worked at the Wayne Brown Farm as a farmhand, as a sign printer at RTEC Signs Incorporated, as well as at the foundry at American Hoist and Derrick. Most of Earl’s working life was spent at 3M where he worked for 40 years in the sign shop, general factory production, chemical processing, and at the warehouse in Cottage Grove. He graduated from Hastings High School in 1965 and joined the United States Army in 1966, spending 19 months in Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1968.

Earl met Tina Ventriglia in August 1965 and married the love of his life on November 1, 1968. Together, they had three children, Christine, David and Angela.

He enjoyed fishing, boating, wrestling, corny dad jokes, golf, ice cream, rollercoasters, antique cars and spending time with his family. He was creative when it came to fixing broken things, and his repairs were affectionately called “Fosterizing.” Earl also loved motorcycling, camping, and attending car shows. He recently started bear hunting in 2019 at the age of 72 where he harvested his first big game animal, a black bear, with his first shot on his first day hunting. Earl had also been active in the Hastings hockey program as a coach.

Earl loved his family deeply. He was a big, strong man with a strong will, but was also a gentle giant. He was always quick to jump in and help those he loved, even strangers. The Duke of Earl, Stringbean, “Early” in the morning, Daddio, and Earl the Pearl will be greatly missed.

Earl is survived by his wife of 56 years, Tina Foster; son, David (Lisa) Foster; daughters, Christine (Bill) Jones, Angela (Blake) Mamer; grandchildren, Josh Jones, Jake Foster, Alex (Meghan) Foster, Wyatt Mamer, Colton Mamer; siblings, Jane (Kevin) Courtney, Neil Foster, Linda Reding; and by many nieces and nephews; cousins, other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Agnes (Furney) Foster.

A Funeral Service for Earl will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel, 3075 Vermillion Street, Hastings with Military Honors provided by the Hastings VFW Lyle Russell Post 1210. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment Lakeside Cemetery, Hastings.

Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings is handling arrangements.