James "Jim" Foster

James “Jim” K. Foster, of Colman, South Dakota, passed away on March 26, 2026, at Dells Nursing and Rehab Center in Dell Rapids, South Dakota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 10:30 AM at Saint Peter’s Catholic Church in Colman, South Dakota. Visitation with family present will take place at Saint Peter’s Catholic Church in Colman, South Dakota, on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 PM.

Burial will take place at Saint Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Colman, South Dakota.

Jim was born on July 22, 1932, in Pipestone, MN to Earl “Butch” Sr. and Ann “Peggy” (Knott) Foster. He was the fourth of six sons. Jim always joked that he was the only son strong enough to carry his mother’s maiden name as his middle name.

At the age of 9, Jim and his family moved to Colman, SD. Jim made Colman his lifelong home. He graduated from Colman High School in 1950. He then proudly entered the United States Navy, bravely serving his country during the Korean War. He served two years in the Philippines and two years on the USS Toledo.

Upon his honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy in 1954, Jim returned to Colman. He worked at various jobs including Brende Electric before becoming a T&R Electric’s first full-time employee in 1965. He remained there a faithful employee until his retirement 53 years later.

Jim married Nona Olson on January 14, 1966. Together they had three children.

Jim was an active member of the Colman community, a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 74 years of continuous membership to the American Legion Shaffer Lellelid Post 278, 20+ years as a member of the Colman Fire Department, and an original & lifetime member of the Colman Golf Course. He spent countless hours volunteering at the golf course, swimming pool, and ball diamonds.

Jim’s most enjoyable activities were anything involving his grandchildren. They were his pride and joy, and he attended all he could.

His other favorite activities were golf (playing & watching) and watching all the activity out the picture window, AKA neighborhood watch. He was an avid Minnesota Twins and Vikings fan, but most of all loved his Colman Wildcats, Colman A’s & Colman-Egan Hawks. Most recently he was able to attend the Girls Class B Basketball Tournament to cheer on the Hawks. He also looked forward to 5:30 Cheladas.

Jim is survived by his daughter Dana, Colman; son Joe, Colman; grandchildren Lexie Foster, Bedford, TX; Chase Foster, Dell Rapids, SD; Xander Mallory, Colman, SD; brothers John “Jack” Foster, Cape Canaveral, FL; Tom Foster, Inverness, FL; sisters-in-law LaVetta Foster, Judy Foster, Marlys Sides, Bonnie Olson, Linda Torgrude; brothers-in-law Kenny Olson, Rick Olson.

Preceded in death by his wife Nona; son Tim; parents Butch & Peggy Foster; in-laws Joe & Edith Olson; brothers Earl Foster Jr., Bob Foster, Bill Foster; brothers-in-law Charles Sides, Roger Olson, Fuzzy Torgrude.

Sisters-in-law: Averlene Foster, Cheryl Foster & Dorothy Olson; nephew Stephen Foster, and niece, Melanie Sutton-Lloyd, and many nieces and nephews