Carol Ann Foster

Carol Ann Foster, age 82, of Dell Rapids, passed away at the Avera Dell Rapids Hospital on August 18, 2026. There will be a celebration of life at a letter date when the family can all be together.

Dear Mom, 

Did you know that in a small country in Africa, when someone passes away, they say their library has closed. You read voraciously so that fits you beautifully!! You would sit in one chair with an open book on your lap, a pet in the other chair and one on the rug by your feet. 

We feel great honor in having you as our Mom, G’ma and Great G’ma. Through your patience, sense of childlike wonder and tolerance of others, we learned to go out into the world and discover its grand beauty. You instilled in us a great sense of adventure with the capability to see life through rose colored glasses. 

We have all traveled, climbed mountains, swam in oceans and howled at the moon. 

You were always the instigator. We would be handed a gallon bucket filled with water, “go ring the bell at Osborn’s and throw this at whoever answers.” The epic neighborhood water fights would begin. “Get up! It’s raining.” We would happily follow you out the door thinking of the many items we could throw into the ditch that was now a grand river. We would wander through dusty rooms in abandoned houses. Hiking, baking, creating art projects, playing board games and cards. You and Dad would often play Scrabble at the end of the day. You were always eager to do so even though he always won. 

Music was always present. You would put on a record from your collection of Broadway musicals and sing, often grabbing one of us to dance. We are sure many of the kids you babysat for fondly remembers choosing a pot or pan and a spoon to march along with Johnny Horton.

Nothing was more precious than hearing your laugh. On the rare occasion when we could splurge and eat at a restaurant, we would head to Sizzler. There, we four kids would have a contest to see who could make you laugh so hard you would pee your pants. 

Our house was always the hub of activity. You welcomed all of our friends with open arms every day. 

You were a teller at our local bank. When we came home, we would pop in to see you. The line in front of you would be 3-5 people deep, even though the teller next to you had no one. 

You would go out of your way to make anyone you met feel seen. You had the ability to get others to talk about themselves and your genuine interest made them feel comfortable to do so. 

You LOVED Dell Rapids and enjoyed walking the dogs through its blocks of quarry rock walls and tree lined streets. So even though your library has closed we feel comforted in knowing that your memory will live on in our chapters and scattered throughout chapters of all those who knew you. 

You were the best parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents anyone could ask for and you both were truly loved. 

Deb, Jill, Billy, Joe, Barry, Sonya, Kerri, Eric, Sean, Cassidy, Noah, Porter, Rebecca, Kailee, Delaney, Matilda, and Liam. 

Adopted family: Keith, Jodie, Ted, Kate, Emily, Ryan, Thomas and Seth Eining.