Michael Keith Foster

• 

Foster, Michael Keith Age 66, Nantahala, NC, was born on March 9, 1949 in Seattle, WA. He graduated from Trinity High School in Dickinson, ND and St. John's University in Collegeville, MN. Those are pretty much the last ordinary things he did. Mike rejoiced in advertising and tourism, including serving as North Dakota's State Director of Tourism, Executive Director of Cheyenne Frontier Days, VP of Marketing Flint Communications and VP of Marketing for Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism. For Mike, the boundary between ordinary life and play was fluid. He loved his work, gave wholly of himself and rarely had a day he didn't thoroughly enjoy. He loved discovering new ways to use technology and saw every project he worked on as special. He envisioned opportunities and would not be deterred by hurricanes, oil spills or even Alzheimer's. He had an unusual ability to lead people, helping them find their strengths and reach new heights, then celebrating their successes. His enthusiasm and warm kindness were contagious. He lit up any room he entered with his warm smile and, "Hi! I'm Mike Foster". He was ever the Adventurer; piloting small planes, long distance biking, scuba diving and boating from the BVI to the Intracoastal Waterway. He married Mary Ann Swedburg in 1972. They were blessed with two children. In 1988 he married Marilee Klein Hammond, her 3 children, and her whole family. He loved us ALL. And yes, his heart was big enough to make each of us feel incredibly special and appreciated. Happy, funny, kind, creative and generous Mike, took off for his latest "Excellent Adventure" on July 5th, 2015 from Chaska, Minnesota. Mike was preceded in death by parents, Keith and Dorothy; sister, Jane, and daughter, Meghan (Barton) Joule. He leaves behind his wife, Marilynn "Marilee" Hammond; sons, Michael (Jenn) Foster and Lucas Hammond; daughters, Alexandra (Andrew) Norris and Alyssia (Chris) Cursi; sister, Sue (Ray) Glasser; brothers, Bob (Linda) and Dan (Mayra); 7 very adored grandchildren & his faithful companion, Nelson. Family prefers donations to Marie Steiner Hospice Ridgeview Foundation in Chaska, MN (952) 442-6030. Be excited by life, take time to smile and greet others warmly, it's what Mike did.

Published on July 19, 2015