Myra J. Foster

Myra J. Foster, age 62, resident of Grand Forks, ND, died Tuesday, August 19, 2008 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks.

Myra Jeanette Swingdoff was born January 21, 1946 in Devils Lake, ND, the daughter of Leroy and Angeline (Hengel) Swingdoff. She was raised on her parents farm near Brocket, ND. Upon her father's death in 1956, Myra moved with her family to Lakota, ND. She was a 1964 graduate of Lakota High School. Myra then began working as a telephone operator for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company in Devils Lake, ND. Throughout her life, Myra's job moved her to Grand Forks, then Fargo, and eventually St. Cloud, MN, as the company became US West. Myra retired in 1993 and moved back to Fargo. She moved to Grand Forks in 2003, where she could be close to family and friends. She loved garage sales and particularly enjoyed movies and lunch with family and friends. She was a marvelous cook and baker. Myra will always be known as a warm, gentle, and kind lady.

She is survived by the greatest joy of her life, her son, Mike and his wife Leah Foster of West Fargo, ND; her granddaughter, Sawyer Grace Foster, and another granddaughter due in September, whose birth Myra was joyfully anticipating; she is also survived by a brother, Jim Swingdoff of Lakota, ND; 2 sisters, Rita Burthold of Grand Forks, ND and Donna (Vernon) Sheard of Manvel, ND; 5 nieces & nephews; and her mother-in-law, Dagny Foster of Hemet, CA.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leroy and Angeline; and her brother, Dick Swingdoff.

Myra's Funeral Service will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church of Lakota, ND, on Saturday, August 23, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. Officiating will be the Rev. Fr. John Aerts. Music will be provided by the St. Mary Church Choir, Barbara Johnson will be the organist. Interment will be in the Lakota Cemetery. Casketbearers will be Jeffrey Sheard, Gregory Sheard, Nicholas Sheard, Pete Burthold, David Rosenthal, and Joel Rosenthal. Honorary Bearers will be Annie Burthold and Robert Olson. Visitation will be held at the Aaker Funeral Home of Lakota, on Friday, August 22, 2008 beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the Church on Saturday, from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service.