Dolores J. Foster
June 5th, 1932 - March 3rd, 2025
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Dolores's Obituary
Dolores Jean (Tucek) Foster, 92, of St. Joseph, passed away, Monday, March 3, 2025 at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 A.M. Monday, March 10, 2025 at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 555 E. Delaware, Benton Harbor, with Fr. Jack Pfeiffer officiating. Friends may visit with the family beginning at 9:00 A.M. Monday at the Church. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph. Memorial donations in Dolores’ name may be made to Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Schools. Arrangements are entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel, St. Joseph. Those wishing to sign Dolores’ Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Dolores was born in Chicago, IL June 5, 1932, to Herbert and Irene (Kwasinski) Tucek, both were born in Chicago. Dolores comes from immigrants to America around the 1850’s from Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic. She remembers her grandfather Charles Tucek who came here in the 1890’s to Chicago, where he remained until his passing in 1943. He always told her while sitting on his lap how much he loved this country, the greatest country. Those memories have always stuck with her. He spoke many languages. During WWII her family left Chicago, for Michigan to find work around 1943. Her dad was a well driller in Allegan, MI.
Dolores was an excellent seamstress and made most of her clothing once in high school. She was voted at one time the best dressed girl in school. She went on to love decorating as well and did a study to get her decorating degree through the mail. She was always a very determined woman. Dolores met and fell in love with Fred A. Foster and they married January 19,1952 in Allegan, where they both grew up. Fred studied business in Grand Rapids, MI. Dolores worked at Old Kent Bank. Fred graduated from college, where he found work in the office at Michigan Fruit Canners in Fennville, MI. They had three children and built a beautiful home in Fennville before moving to St. Joseph. While living in St. Joseph, Dolores worked for many years as a real estate agent for the Fred Jung Agency in Stevensville. They then moved to Rochester, NY for the next seven years before retiring in 1995.
Fred & Dolores spent 26 years in Fort Myers Beach, Florida every winter until 2020. They met so many new friends from all over the country and remained friends with all of them. Throughout her life, family meant everything to her. She grew up with four siblings and spent holidays all together as she grew up with many cousins. When she and Fred became grandparents, that was the highlight for them both.
We can’t forget about the 1923 Model T Ford that Fred restored in the late 70’s. They spent many hours and too many trips around the country every summer in a different state, too many to mention. They cherished all of the friends that they made. We will all miss her smiling face, her words of wisdom and countless parties she and Fred hosted, and her potato salad she always made. Dolores was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and was active for many years volunteering for Birthright. She and Fred cherished the time spent with their many friends at Berrien Hills Country Club.
Dolores is survived by her husband Fred; her children-Lisa J. (Don) Pawloski of Rockford, MI, Joe A. (Michele) Foster of St. Joseph, John (Debi Howe) Foster of South Haven; five grandchildren-David (Sarah) Pawloski, Rebecca (Dave) Scholten, Jason (Chelsey) Foster, Jennifer (Jim) Morrison, Sarah Foster; eight great-grandchildren-Landon, Grace & Faith Pawloski, Everett, Leland & Shepherd Foster, Mabel & Maverick Morrison; and numerous nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her siblings-Richard “Dick” Tucek, Gerry Klintworth, Joann VanKlavern & Robert Tucek.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 A.M. Monday, March 10, 2025 at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 555 E. Delaware, Benton Harbor, with Fr. Jack Pfeiffer officiating. Friends may visit with the family beginning at 9:00 A.M. Monday at the Church. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph. Memorial donations in Dolores’ name may be made to Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Schools. Arrangements are entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel, St. Joseph. Those wishing to sign Dolores’ Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Dolores was born in Chicago, IL June 5, 1932, to Herbert and Irene (Kwasinski) Tucek, both were born in Chicago. Dolores comes from immigrants to America around the 1850’s from Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic. She remembers her grandfather Charles Tucek who came here in the 1890’s to Chicago, where he remained until his passing in 1943. He always told her while sitting on his lap how much he loved this country, the greatest country. Those memories have always stuck with her. He spoke many languages. During WWII her family left Chicago, for Michigan to find work around 1943. Her dad was a well driller in Allegan, MI.
Dolores was an excellent seamstress and made most of her clothing once in high school. She was voted at one time the best dressed girl in school. She went on to love decorating as well and did a study to get her decorating degree through the mail. She was always a very determined woman. Dolores met and fell in love with Fred A. Foster and they married January 19,1952 in Allegan, where they both grew up. Fred studied business in Grand Rapids, MI. Dolores worked at Old Kent Bank. Fred graduated from college, where he found work in the office at Michigan Fruit Canners in Fennville, MI. They had three children and built a beautiful home in Fennville before moving to St. Joseph. While living in St. Joseph, Dolores worked for many years as a real estate agent for the Fred Jung Agency in Stevensville. They then moved to Rochester, NY for the next seven years before retiring in 1995.
Fred & Dolores spent 26 years in Fort Myers Beach, Florida every winter until 2020. They met so many new friends from all over the country and remained friends with all of them. Throughout her life, family meant everything to her. She grew up with four siblings and spent holidays all together as she grew up with many cousins. When she and Fred became grandparents, that was the highlight for them both.
We can’t forget about the 1923 Model T Ford that Fred restored in the late 70’s. They spent many hours and too many trips around the country every summer in a different state, too many to mention. They cherished all of the friends that they made. We will all miss her smiling face, her words of wisdom and countless parties she and Fred hosted, and her potato salad she always made. Dolores was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and was active for many years volunteering for Birthright. She and Fred cherished the time spent with their many friends at Berrien Hills Country Club.
Dolores is survived by her husband Fred; her children-Lisa J. (Don) Pawloski of Rockford, MI, Joe A. (Michele) Foster of St. Joseph, John (Debi Howe) Foster of South Haven; five grandchildren-David (Sarah) Pawloski, Rebecca (Dave) Scholten, Jason (Chelsey) Foster, Jennifer (Jim) Morrison, Sarah Foster; eight great-grandchildren-Landon, Grace & Faith Pawloski, Everett, Leland & Shepherd Foster, Mabel & Maverick Morrison; and numerous nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her siblings-Richard “Dick” Tucek, Gerry Klintworth, Joann VanKlavern & Robert Tucek.
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