Eleanor "Ellie" Marie Foster's Obituary
Eleanor "Ellie" Hickman Foster was born on September 30, 1949 at Chariton, Iowa. She received her angel wings on Monday November 28, 2016 at the Wayne County Hospital surrounded by her family. Ellie's parents are Gerald and Ellen (Holder) Hickman. She was the middle duck of the family of five girls. Her sisters are: Barbara Hickman, Patricia (Leroy) Perkins, Virginia (Bob) Fuller and Marilyn (Bear) Jarman. She had three nieces and one nephew that had a special place in her heart. They are Brad (Gina) Perkins, Jennifer (Eric) Olsen, Heather (Mark) Moorman and Kati (Eddie) Allison. They presented her with twelve great nieces and great nephews. They are: Cole, Cade, Chase, Corrie and Caitlin Perkins; Tait and Mackenzie Olsen; Samantha, Sarah and Suzie Moorman; and Ethan and Isaac Allison. She was known as "Gramma Ellie" to numerous other special children. Ellie attended Cambria-Corydon School. But when she graduated in 1967 it had become Wayne Community School. Following high school she attended the University of Iowa at Iowa City, and graduated from Morningside College at Sioux City, Scarritt College in Nashville, Tennessee and St. Paul Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. She was ordained as a deacon and then later as an elder in the United Methodist Church. She served in several churches in Kansas, including; Goff, Wetmore, Saffordville, Cottonwood Falls, Bazaar, Tisdale, Pittsburg First Associate, Wesley House and then retired from ministry in 2014. Each year as spring arrived she made plans to be part of the staff of Camp Chipewa. She was in charge of the camper's Spiritual Formation but was known to all as "Gramma Ellie." Her ministry focused on the rural, small churches, the youth and the disadvantaged. She was active in church work at all levels as well as community organizations like Kiwanis Club, PEO, WAYCO Arts Council, Corydon United Methodist Church Bell Choir, and was part of the mentoring program for Wayne Community School. Ellie lived life to the fullest and enjoyed making it possible for others to enjoy life as well. She would make herself available to others who were in need. When Ellie retired, she came home to be close to her Iowa family. She bought a small house and was enjoying fixing it up with her personal touches. She returned to the small country church that helped mold her life, the New Zion United Methodist Church. Funeral service will be held Saturday, December 3, 2016 at 11:00 am at the Corydon United Methodist Church with Rev. B. Gordon Packard and Pastor Leroy Perkins officiating. Visitation will be Friday, December 2, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at Thomas Funeral Home in Corydon. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to one of Ellie's favorite projects: New Zion United Methodist Church, WAYCO Children's Theatre or to Wesley House of Pittsburg, Kansas. Condolences may be shared at www.thomasfh.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Eleanor "Ellie" Marie Foster please visit our Sympathy Store. Cemetery Details Corydon Cemetery S. West St. & Co Park Road
Corydon, IA 50060 Visitation DEC 2. 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM (CST) Thomas Funeral Homes - Corydon 303 E. JeffersonCorydon, IA 50060[emailprotected] Funeral Service DEC 3. 11:00 AM (CST) United Methodist Church 213 W Jackson StCorydon, IA 50060
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