Ralph Francis Foster, 82, of Tucson, AZ passed away on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at the Hospice Family Care Unit in Tucson, AZ.

Funeral and Masonic services will be 2:00 PM, Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls with Rev Ale Tulu officiating.

Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Ralph was born in St. Paul, MN on December 31, 1928 to Ralph Francis and Gladys Rosetta (Remmem) Foster. He was raised in Thief River Falls, MN where he attended school, graduating from Lincoln High School in 1946. He enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served in South Korea on the 38th parallel before attending college in Moorhead, MN and in Washington, DC..

On December 29, 1950 he was united in marriage to Ardis L. Stoughton in Washington, DC. They made their first home in Falls Church, VA before returning to Thief River Falls, MN in 1956. Ralph signed on with the Soo Line Railroad where he worked his way up from brakeman to conductor before becoming a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service. From 1960-1968 Ralph and Ardis owned The Junior Shop, a childrens clothing store in downtown Thief River Falls.

Among Ralphs many community memberships and affiliations were: Member of Zion Lutheran Church and the Church Council, Cub Scout Master of Pack #59, Past Exulted Ruler of Elks Lodge # 1308, V.F.W. Post 10188, Eagles Lodge # 2368, American Legion Post # 117, President of the Thief River Falls local Jaycees, Worshipful Master of the Masonic Lodge, Worthy Patron of the Eastern Star, Member of the KEM Temple Shriners in which he played a Chinese Musette, more commonly called the Snake Charmers Horn, competing in many parades across the region in the Oriental Band. Over the years he worked for Arctic Cat, managed the Elks Lodge, and managed the TRF Country Club.

In 1980 he and Ardis relocated to Tucson, AZ where Ralph owned and operated Thunderbird Mobile Home Sales before retiring. He served as Quarter Master for V.F.W. Casa Adobes Post # 10188 and became a member of Dove of Peace Lutheran Church.

Ralph is preceded in death by his parents, step-father C.O. Joringdal, and son Jonathan Ross.

He is survived by his wife, son Ralph A. Foster of Mesa, AZ, daughter Sandra L. Rude of Thief River Falls, MN four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

MILITARY HONORS: Thief River Falls American Legion and VFW Post