Cincoona “Cindy” Foster, age 80, of East Helena

Cincoona “Cindy” Yona Siewert Foster passed away peacefully on Thursday Morning, September 21^st at St. Pete’s Hospital.  She had been battling kidney disease and pneumonia for some time before the Lord called her home.  Cindy was 80 years young.

Cindy was born November 9, 1936 in New England, North Dakota to Christlieb H. (Christ) Siewert and Bessie I. (Holthues) Siewert.  She was the 3^rd born child and first girl born into what would be a large family of eight children; three girls and five boys.   Her unique name was given to her by her Dad, Christ.  To earn money, through and after the depression, the family worked fields of produce, including beets, potatoes and strawberries.  Christ met a fellow worker named Cincoona while working in the beet fields of North Dakota and liked the name so much he gave it to his first daughter.  It’s been comical through the years to see how people try to pronounce it.  For those who didn’t know, the phonetic spelling would be (sin-K­ō-na).  Now you know!

Because of the nature of her parents’ livelihood, Cindy attended many schools in her early years until her dad found work with the railroad and they settled in Helena, Montana.  In high school, under the DECA program, Cindy worked part time as a bookkeeper for the power company while attending High School.  She graduated from Helena High in 1954.

One special night, in her senior year, her and some of her friends attended a dance at the Winston Bar, where she met William (Bill) Foster.  He asked her to dance and the song playing was the Tennessee Waltz.  It was love at first sight and that became their song.  Two days after Cindy turned eighteen, November 11, 1954, they were married in SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in East Helena, Montana.

Shortly after they were married, Bill was drafted into the Army and stationed at Fort Collins, Colorado.  They lived there a brief time before he was ordered to Germany.  Cindy moved back to Helena to be with friends and family and began work at the Montana Highway Patrol.

Upon Bill’s completion of duty in the Army, they began farming and ranching Clasoil where they raised grain, cattle, pigs and chickens.   Times were tough back then.  They lived in a four-room house and sold eggs to the old Buttery Store to make ends meet.  On November 16^th, 1956 they welcomed oldest daughter, Sharon Irene.  Then two years later, November 24, 1958, Shirley Margaret and finally a boy, William J. Foster Jr. “Chip” on June 23, 1961.  All the while Cindy continued to work at the Highway Patrol, helped Bill expand the farm, gardened, canned and sewed many of her children’s cloths.   She was the master of “multitasking” before the term was invented.

Hunting is a big part of the family’s life initially to put food on the table.  However; in 1980, Bill and Cindy got the opportunity to go on a Safari to Zimbabwe, Africa. Cindy bagged many animals including a Sable, Cape Buffalo, Impala, Elan and a Wart Hog.  The guides had a nickname for Cindy; “Madame Drops ‘Em”.   She was a very good shot.  Sometimes even better than Bill.

Bill and Cindy took numerous trips with their daughter, Sharon.  These included a tour of Alaska which included fishing for Salmon and Halibut.  Attending Super Bowl XXII at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego to watch the Washington Redskins dominate the Denver Broncos; a grand tour of Florida including Disney World, Epcot, Kennedy Space Center, Key West, Alligator Alley and Hydroplaning in the marsh.   Also, as a part of their square dance group, they visited Hawaii and took in all the splendor the island has to offer.

In December 1993, Cindy opted for early retirement from the Highway Patrol after serving many years reporting to the Chief in the capacity as Chief Accountant.  Retirement afforded her more time to dedicate to her gardening and flourishing flower beds.  Canning and making jams and jellies was a continued tradition.  Her raspberry turnovers were renowned.    Cindy also loved to make ceramics.  At Christmas time, relatives and friends were almost certain to receive a special, one-of-a-kind decorated piece of ceramic art.  Besides her kids and husband, the second thing Cindy loved most was her Springer Spaniel puppies.  Through the years, her and Bill had various Springer Spaniels and she loved each one in its own special way.  The last dog she had before her death was Pal and I think he missed her as much as she missed him. While she was in and out of rehab and the hospital the first question she would ask when you visited her was “How’s my dog?”

Everyone who knew Cindy knows what a kind, caring, hardworking and loving person she was.  She will be missed dearly by all who were blessed to know her; two legged and four legged friends alike.

Cindy is survived by her daughter, Sharon Irene Foster and son, William J. “Chip” Foster Jr.  Also, two sisters, Fern Lang and Elaine Colvin; sister-in-law, Kay Siewert; two brothers, Keith (Darlene) and John Siewert; and numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by husband William J. “Bill” Foster and daughter, Shirley Margaret Foster; her parents, Christlieb “Christ” and Bessie Siewert; brothers, Grant Siewert, Don Siewert Sr., Roger Siewert; brother-in-law Frank Lang and Sister-in-law, Rose (Casey) Siewert.

A service celebrating Cindy’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 7^th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave.  A catered reception will follow the service in the social hall of the funeral home.  Memorials in Cindy’s name are suggested to Lewis & Clark Humane Society, P.O. Box 4455, Helena, MT 59604 or to Lite a Life, St. Peter’s Hospital Foundation, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT  59601.

Service Schedule

Celebration of Her Life

2:00 p.m.

Saturday October 7, 2017

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Ave.

Helena, Montana 59602

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Reception

To follow the celebration of her life.

Saturday October 7, 2017

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

Helena, Montana 59602

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