ROCHELLE — Margaret B. Foster, 96, of Rochelle, formerly of Sycamore, passed away Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018, at Franklin Grove Living & Rehab.
She was born Sept. 21, 1921, in Oregon, to Henry and Hazel (Lindsay) Mattison. Margaret married Elroy Budrow in 1941; he passed away Nov. 11, 1942. She married Ray Foster in 1947; he predeceased her in 2003. They were married 56 years, living most of their lives in Sycamore.
Margaret attended Oregon Community High School and graduated with a full-ride scholarship for music (piano and violin) and journalism at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. She graduated from NIU with a major in music and a minor in journalism. She taught music for the Oregon school system for a while.
She was an accomplished musician playing string bass and French horn for the DeKalb Municipal Band for 54 years. She played most weekends for bands across Northern Illinois. She also enjoyed gardening, loved animals (especially cats) and worked hard to raise a large family.
A devoted mother of 10, she enjoyed taking her children to classical ensembles, jazz concerts and other events at NIU. The children especially liked the National Audubon Society series. She also strongly urged them to be a part of 4-H, being a leader herself. Margaret was a tester for DeKalb County Dairy Herd Improvement Association for 15 years. She spent many volunteer hours of work at the Duck Soup Coop in DeKalb.
Margaret was a member of Flagg Center Church of God Abrahamic Faith. Her grandfather, S.J. Lindsay baptized her in the Rock River in Oregon. During her teen years, she loved traveling with her grandfather through many Midwest states, playing violin and piano, and teaching Bible classes during various Church of God conferences.
She is survived by her children, Jean Budrow (Jim) Rencontre of Michigan, Mary Foster (Dan Peterson) of Idaho, Nancy Rankin (Lowell Cronbaugh) of Iowa, Susan (Dennis) Brown of Texas, Sam (Kathy) Foster of Washington, Sarah (Kenny) Cronin of Iowa, Dan (Jennifer) Foster of Illinois, Elisabeth (Ray) Mulli of Minnesota, and Judith Foster of California; daughter-in-law, Kathy Foster; brother-in-law, Fred Foster; and friend/helper, Levina Stinnett.
She is also survived by 32 grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her parents; husbands; son, David Foster; son-in-law, Delbert Rankin; and brother, James Mattison.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 17 at Quiram Sycamore Chapel, 1245 Somonauk St., with Pastor Ron Macy officiating. Burial of cremated remains will be at Charter Grove Cemetery.
Memorials can be made to Flagg Center Church of God Faith of Abraham, PO Box 123, Rochelle, IL 61068.
To share a memory or leave a condolence visit Olsonfh.com.