Cynthia “Cindy” Foster, 65, of Fulton, SD, died Monday, January 3, 2022, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Saturday, January 8, at Harvest Community Church in Mitchell. Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery in Fulton. Visitation will be from 5-7 PM Friday, at Harvest Community Church with a 6:30 PM prayer service. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Cynthia, “Cindy” (Wieczorek) Foster was born to Wallace and Noreen (DeJong) Wieczorek on December 17th, 1956, in Mitchell, SD.

Cindy loved growing up on the family farm, homesteaded by her great-grandfather in 1882, south of Mt. Vernon, SD. The oldest of four children, she was a hard worker, daily helping to gather half of the eggs from the family’s 10,000 laying hens.

Cindy attended a one room schoolhouse two miles from home until the 4th grade, when a new two room school, Baker, was built. She then attended Baker school until 8th grade. She attended high school in Mt. Vernon, graduating in 1975 with valedictorian honors.

After high school, Cindy attended MidAmerica Nazarene College in Olathe, KS, transferring to SDSU, then DWU where she graduated with honors double majoring in Biology and Chemistry.

On July 7th, 1979, she was united in marriage to Arlen Foster at First Church of the Nazarene in Mitchell. To this union one daughter, Bethany, was born. Arlen & Cindy farmed near Fulton, raising crops and cattle. Cindy was involved in and held board positions within many community organizations, including the local Beaver Township board, South Dakota Association of Towns & Townships, South Dakota Farm Bureau, and her local church. She also worked for 23 years as the Miner County Director of Equalization clerk.

Cindy’s passion for agriculture and education were very apparent by how many years she served in those arenas. Cindy first became involved in SD Farm Bureau as the co-advisor of the Davison/Hanson County Young Farmers & Ranchers committee in 1983. She went on to serve as the county women’s co-chair, the District 2 women’s committee representative, and the state women’s committee vice chair. In 2008, Cindy ran a strong campaign and was elected the Women’s Leadership Chair, a position she still presently held.

Cindy also served as the Davison/Hanson County Farm Bureau president from 1997-present. Many students remember Cindy as the Farm Bureau Youth Camp leader, a program that was very dear to her heart. Ultimately Cindy served in some capacity with the American and South Dakota Farm Bureau organizations for nearly 40 years.

Cindy also served on the board of directors for the South Dakota Association of Towns and Townships from 1997 to present, she served as the president from 2009-2011 and as the secretary from 2013-present.

Cindy’s love language was gift-giving. Many remember her gifting them a solar-powered figurine, a piece of Tupperware, some Watkins products, a tote from 31 Gifts, or a gift from Mary & Martha.

She loved music, she could sing and play many instruments, but she especially loved playing the organ on Sundays for church and accompanying her Aunt Liz while she played the marimba for special music.

Cindy is survived by her husband of 42 years, Arlen of Fulton; daughter, Beth (Justin) Joramo of Boise, ID; six grandchildren: Kelsey, Ashley, Caleb, Allison, Emma, and Josh Joramo of Boise, ID; father, Wally Wieczorek of Mitchell; two sisters: Crysti (Perry) Luna of Mt. Vernon, SD and Cheri (Rich) Wyatt of Bismarck, ND; one brother: Curt (Leanne) Wieczorek of Mt. Vernon, SD; three sisters-in-law: Marlene Helsel of Dexter, KS, Sharon Foster of Spring Arbor, MI, Eulyla Foster of Fulton; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Noreen; parents-in-law, Gordon & Gertrude Foster; and two brothers-in-law: Welby Foster & Dave Helsel.