George D. Foss, of New Richmond, WI, age 97, died Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at The Deerfield in New Richmond.
George was born June 26, 1927, in River Falls, Wisconsin, the son of Arthur and Bessie (Smith) Foss. He was baptized and confirmed at the Ezekiel Lutheran Church in River Falls. He received his diploma from River Falls High School (Class of ’45), while he served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII. George earned his Bachelor Degree from Wisconsin State College-River Falls. He was united in marriage to Bette Lou Young on November 26, 1949, at Clayfield Parish in rural Ellsworth, WI. To this union were born three children; Georgia Ann (Jones), John Arthur (Julie Osterland), and Susan (Jim) Christopherson.
George was employed by the 3M Company of St. Paul, MN for 35 years as a Research Specialist authoring a dozen U.S. Patents, and publishing research papers in several scientific journals. His technical biography is recorded in American Men of Science. In his early years at his home in rural River Falls, he was an avid gardener specializing in French hybrid grapes, an outdoor sportsman, hunting and fishing, and he was an ardent fan of the Wildcats, the Falcons, and the Packers. Upon retiring George and Bette moved to Amery, WI where George fished for muskies in the Apple River, carried out extensive theological research, and became a proficient genealogist.
George was preceded in death by Bette, his wife of 66 years, his parents, a sister LaVerne (Glen Gerhardt), and a brother Norman (Lois Boyle). He is survived by a daughter Georgia Jones, a son John Arthur (Julie Osterland), and a daughter Susan (Jim) Christopherson; grandchildren Maura (Bill) Ellen Stallone, Sydney Jones, Gabriel Jones, John R. (Anne) Foss, and Jennifer Foss; three great-grandsons Henrik, Oskar & Fredrik.
A private memorial service and interment beside his wife Bette will be held at Northern Wisconsin Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery N4063 Veterans Way, Spooner, WI 54801.