Palmer Foss

Palmer Foss, age 90, of Menno and formerly of Lesterville, SD passed away Saturday, February 9, 2013 at the Menno-Olivet Care Center, Menno, SD. Memorial services will be 11:00 AM, Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at the Salem Reformed Church, Menno, with Rev. Michael Hecht officiating and the SDARNG Honor Guard presenting the colors. Visitations will begin at 5:00 PM, Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at the Salem Reformed Church, Menno, with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. The Aisenbrey-Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel, Menno, is assisting with the service details.

Palmer Foss was born January 27, 1923 in Freeman, SD to Inga (Jorstad) and Jarle Foss. In 1926 their family moved to the farm near the Jim River east of Scotland, SD where he made his home for 86 years. Palmer was raised in a Christian home, was baptized and confirmed his faith in Christ as his Savior as a young man. He was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, rural Menno and later years at Zion Lutheran Church in Scotland, SD.

He attended Oslo District's one room school house for 8 years and then Menno High School where he graduated in 1941. In 1945 he entered the Navy and served in the South Pacific until discharged at the end of World War II in 1946. On May 4, 1948, he married Eirleen Johnson of Viborg, SD, which Palmer referred to often as the "best thing that ever happened to me". Their love and dedication have been obvious to this day. Palmer claimed having two children (Karen and Jerry), as their biggest accomplishment and greatly enjoyed spending time with his 6 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. He always made it a point to tell them how blessed he was to have them and referred to them as precious cargo when instructing their parents to drive them home safely.

In November 2011 Palmer left the farm and moved into the Menno-Olivet Care Center where he resided until the time of his death, February 9, 2013.

Palmer is perhaps best known for his sense of humor and love of animals; traits which are recognized to have been passed on to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Going to visit Palmer's farm was much like visiting an exotic animal park, where he had his favorites... dogs, horses and miniature donkeys, but also had yak, buffalo, peacocks, coyotes, raccoons and just about any animal willing to hang around for a free meal. Similarly Palmer is recognized by those who knew him as a kind person who never chose to take advantage of anyone and often went the extra mile to make sure the other person was treated fairly.

Palmer is survived by Eirleen, his wife of nearly 65 years; daughter, Karen Baker of Yankton, SD; son, Jerry (Carol) of Victoria, MN; grandchildren: Krista (Travis) Becker of Yankton, SD; Tim Baker of Yankton, SD; Jason (Catherine) Foss of Forest Lake, MN; Jonathan Foss of Shakopee, MN; and his fiancée Jenna Kotlarz of Shakopee, MN; Kimberly (Tyler) Hansen of Jordan, MN; Kyle Foss of Melbourne, Australia; great-grandchildren: Ashli, Chloe, Tori, and Zachary Becker, all of Yankton, SD; Cristian and Mykaela Foss of Forest Lake, MN; Paxton, Maddex and Elyza Hansen all of Jordan, MN; and brother, Wilbur (Elizabeth) Foss of Scotland, SD.

He was preceded in death by his parents Inga and Jarle Foss.