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Raymond Louis Foerster, 91, of New Ulm, Texas passed away on Feb. 5, 2023, in Columbus, Texas.
He was born on Aug. 25, 1931, in New Ulm, Texas, at home on the Foerster home place to the parents of Henry and Hattie Foerster Sr. He grew up in the New Ulm area, attending Henkhaus School where he walked to school every day. He then attended Industry School for one year, riding horseback to get there. After that, he rode the school bus to Columbus High School where he graduated in 1950.
After graduating from high school, he joined the family in the farming and ranching business. He married Verlin Hohlt of New Wehdem on Nov. 2, 1952, at St. James Lutheran Church in New Wehdem. They resided on the Foerster home place in their own home.
Raymond was drafted into the military and served in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army from 1953 to 1955 in active service. He served at Fort Carson in Colorado and later transferred to Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he was Honorably Discharged as Corporal Raymond L. Foerster. He was in the in-active Army Reserves from 1955 until 1963.
In 1955, while serving in the Army Reserve, Raymond worked for Schobel Truck and Tractor. He started as a mechanic on tractors and then automobiles. He was the Mechanic and Service Manager when he left in 1962. During this time, he attended Blinn College three nights a week with his brother Henry Jr. for three years. Upon completion, in 1958, he received a Certificate in Business Administration.
Raymond started working for Texas Construction Materials Company in 1962, as a dragline oiler, with promotions to locomotive engineer and ending in 1966, as a mechanic. In 1966, Lone Star Cement bought out Texas Construction Materials Company where he was promoted to Maintenance Foreman in charge of mechanics and welders. He supervised 25 people at Lone Star Cement currently known as Lone Star Industries, Inc.
In 1973, Raymond and Verlin moved onto their own property in New Ulm on Bernard Road.
In 1974, Raymond worked at Lone Star’s Blue Roan Bend Plant at the Sand and Gravel Operations, in Garwood, Texas. He was the Plant Superintendent overseeing 76 employees. Later in 1979, Raymond received a promotion to the Superintendent of Sand and Gravel Operations. There were four Sand and Gravel plants located in Dolen, Woodlands, Eagle Lake, and Garwood. He also oversaw two Drying Plants located in Dolen and Eagle Lake. Raymond supervised 300 employees, indirectly at all of these locations.
Raymond was promoted to the Regional Equipment Manager in 1983. He managed plants in seven states throughout the southern parts of the United States. His specialty was in heavy equipment for Cement, Ready Mix, and the Sand and Gravel Operations. In 1985, the Texas plants were sold to Pioneer Sand and Gravel. At that time he retired from Lone Star.
Shortly thereafter, Raymond received a call from Pioneer’s Austin Gravel plant. He came out of retirement, after less than two months, to take over the Sand and Gravel Operation, in Austin. After two and a half years he was transferred to the Woodlands Plant as Plant Manager to oversee its safety and production problems. In July of 1997, Raymond retired at the age of 66. He went home to work his cattle ranch and to be with his wife and family.
Raymond’s wife Verl in passed away in February 2000. He remarried in August 2001 to Jo Ann Juergens. They lived a happy life until her passing in April 2017. His family was very proud of his devotion to taking care of both wives during their illnesses up until their time of death.
Raymond gave back to his community even though he worked away from home for many years. He was a member of the New Ulm Volunteer Fire Department since 1955. He belonged to the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, Austin County Livestock Association, Austin County Sportsmen’s Association, and the Austin County Soil and Water Conservation District #347. He belonged to the St. John’s Lutheran Church and was a member of the Cemetery Association in New Ulm.
Raymond is survived by his brother Henry Foerster Jr. of New Ulm. Surviving sons and daughter: Stephen Foerster and wife Melissa (Ullrich) of Brenham, Stuart Foerster and wife Penny (Eddins) of New Ulm, Cynthia (Foerster) Childs and husband Tom of Janesville, Wisconsin. Surviving grandchildren: Michelle (Meinecke) Menon and husband Manoj of Houston, Misty (Meinecke) McGee and husband Bryan of Brenham, Tyler Foerster and significant other Courtney Wilson of New Ulm, Jessica (Foerster) Hall and significant other Bryan Arriola of New Ulm, Hilary (Foerster) Adamson and husband Butch of New Ulm, and Einn Childs of Janesville, Wisconsin. Surviving great-grandchildren: Diya Menon, Pooja Menon-Guzman and husband Josue, Mallory Cole, Colleen Cole, Westen Foerster, Ella Wilson, Sam Wilson, Jeremy Hall, Peyton Adamson and Wyatt Adamson. Surviving great-great grandson Levi Jai Menon-Guzman and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Raymond was preceded in death by his parents Henry Foerster Sr. and Hattie Schmidt Foerster, brother Roger Lee Foerster, sister-in-law Bernice Foerster, wives Verlin Foerster and Jo Ann Foerster.
Visitation will be Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, from 5-8 p.m. at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus, Texas.
Funeral service will be Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, at 10 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in New Ulm, Texas with Pastor Ivy Schulz officiating. Visitation at church will be from 9-10 a.m.
Burial will follow in New Ulm Cemetery in New Ulm, Texas.
Pallbearers are T.J. Foerster, Manoj Menon, Butch Adamson, Bryan McGee, Russel Foerster and David Chudej.
The family is extremely grateful to the caregivers and T.L.C. staff for the special care given to Raymond.
In lieu of flowers, please give monetary donations to Amedysis Hospice Foundation, 226 S. Live Oak St., Bellville, Texas 77418, St. John Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 1270, New Ulm, Texas 78950, or Alzheimer’s Association, 6055 South Loop East, Houston, Texas 77087.
Online condolences may be given at www.hennekefuneralhome.com.
