Dr. Donald L. Foss

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Foss, Dr. Donald L. age 78 of Little Canada, passed on July 21st 2017, after a long fought and courageous battle with Multiple System Atrophy. Donald was born in Fergus Falls, MN on Nov. 5, 1938, to John and Florence Foss. They lived on a farm west of Maddock, ND where he helped farm the land and raise 4H prize-winning sheep and Hereford Cattle. He graduated from Hillcrest Lutheran Academy, and attended Concordia College for three years before graduating Suma Cum Laude from University of North Dakota medical school. Don married Nora Jane Osland in Mayville, ND on December 30, 1961. He completed his medical schooling at the University of Washington at Seattle. His internship and general surgical residency under Dr. Claude Hitchcock at General Hospital in Mpls from 1963 to 1969. He proudly served his country in the Vietnam War as a surgeon and as a Major at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Together Don and Jane raised their four children in Bloomington MN. He practiced Surgery in St. Paul until 2000. He, Dr. Richard Yadeau and Dr. Robert Brown founded the first Hospice facility in MN and the 2nd in the USA in 1976 at Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul. Don had always given his patients tender care, and toward the end of his own life he received loving care from the Healtheast Hospice System he helped create. Don was a farm-kid at heart with a work ethic woven into everything he did. He always said, "You can take the boy off the farm, but you can't take the farm out of the boy." How true! Don could fix things, from cars to aortic aneurysms. He "made the rounds" whether he was visiting patients in the hospital or taking a call from family or friends. Life as a doctor is a calling, and Don answered that call time and time again, always with a smile and an encouraging word. He was never too busy to help anyone. His greatest joy was his family. And we'll miss him very much. Until we meet again. Don is survived by his loving wife of 56 years Jane (Osland); children: Dan, Jon (Susan) Foss, Jennifer (Jim) Larranaga, Jim (Karin) Foss; 11 grandchildren: Anna, Will, Jon, George, Emily, Megan, Andrew, Josie, Mae, Alex and Charlie; siblings: Marilyn (Bill) Martinson, Maury (Jeanne) Foss, Rosalie (Don) Sorensen, and sisters-in-law Goldie Foss, Genelle (Marvin) Blomquist; and many special extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Florence Foss, brother Allen Foss and brothers-in-law George Osland, Gary Osland and Jack Nordenstrom. Funeral service Friday 10am, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel (intersection of 55 & 62). Interment Ft. National Cemetery. Visitation one hour prior to service. Reception to follow interment at Hilton Hotel, 3800 American Blvd E. Memorials to Operation Smile or donor's choice. GILLBROTHERS.com Minneapolis 612-861-6088

Published on July 26, 2017