Elmer Foss
Elmer Eugene “Gene” Foss, 78, of Culbertson, Mont., passed away April 11, 2021, at his ranch outside on the land he loved.
A visitation was held Friday, April 23, 2021, in Culbertson, Mont., at The United Methodist Church from 12 to 4 p.m. with the service following. An outside service will take place at the Lynde Cemetery on Saturday, June 19, 2021, at the same time as his wife’s, Marsha (Becker) Foss. Officiating both services is Pastor Gretchen Wagner from Trinity Lutheran Church in Culbertson, Mont. were his grandchildren, who fondly called him “Grandpa with the Mustache,” Chase, Kourtney and Jacob. He always said he was so proud of them. He and his wife, Marsha, raised Chase from elementary school through graduation of high school.
He is survived by his children, Michelle Foss of Sidney, Mont., and Russell (Paula) Foss of Billings, Mont.; step-children, Christy (Mark) Kleinwaechter of Dickinson, N.D., and Billy Norby (Sharon Hodges) of Culbertson, Mont.; grandchildren, Chase Kilzer, Kourtney Kleinwaechter (Byren Tobar), Jacob Kleinwaechter, all of Dickinson, N.D.; sisters, Shirley (Boyd) Hardy of Fairview, Mont., Constance (Connie) (Allen) Thompson of Anchorage, Alaska, Norma Foss of Stockton, Calif., and Mary Marie Taylor of Bellingham, Wash.; sisters-in-law, Brenda (Arden) Saunders of Hettinger, N.D., Pam (Kelly) Wolf of Bettendorf, Iowa, and Janice Becker of Richardton, N.D.; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and pets.
He was preceded in death by his adoring wife, just months ago, Marsha Foss; parents, Elmer and Dorothy Foss; and siblings, infant Marjorie Jean, Winifred “Winnie” Clausen, child Peggy Hope, Kenneth Foss, Harry Foss, Mildred “Dolly” Angel and child Norman Foss.
Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Sidney, Mont., is caring for the family. Remembrances, condolences and pictures can be shared at www.fulkersons.com.
Gene was born Dec. 15, 1942, in Sidney. He was the youngest of 11 children and “finally” a boy after eight girls. His family lived on their ranch near Culbertson his whole life. He graduated from Sidney High School in 1960, where he was Sidney’s first All State Wrestler and played football. He attended college at Montana State University in Bozeman, Mont.
Gene was a true cowboy in every sense of the word. He loved his family, animals, land, friends and neighbors. Gene wanted to share his cowboy life with the world, so he did just that, by hosting many cattle drives, with his wife, Marsha, on or near the ranch over many years. Foss Cattle Drives hosted hundreds of guests from 35 states and 10 countries from all over the world. Gene never met a stranger.
Gene has farmed and ranched full time from 1965 until the time of his passing, buying his own ranch in 1972. He was very involved in his community as a 4-H leader, founding director of Charlie Creek Jaycees, Sidney Elks member and president, Culbertson Saddle Club director for 12 years and president, Culbertson Farmers Elevator president and chairman of the board and member of the Lions Club, Culbertson Museum, Lynde Cemetery and Threshers Association. Gene also owned and operated Foss Rocks with his grandson Chase, where they hauled scoria.
The pride and joy of his life (Paid Obituary)
