Sheri Foster, a devoted wife, loving mother, proud Nana, and a woman whose sparkle was as unmistakable as her signature hairstyle, passed away on Saturday, October 17, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.
Sheri was born on May 11, 1954, in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She grew up on her family’s farm near Rushford, Minnesota, where her lifelong love of animals first began. From her earliest days on the farm to the many beloved cats and dogs that shared her home over the years, Sheri always had a special place in her heart for her four-legged companions. She attended Rushford Public Schools, graduating in 1972. On June 13, 1981, Sheri married Harley Foster. Together, they built a life and raised their four daughters – Alissa, Hillary, Arianne and Taylor, in their family home in Stanton, Minnesota. Of all the things Sheri accomplished in her life, she considered her four daughters her greatest. She poured her heart into raising them. Sheri was the ultimate career mom, spending countless hours sewing dance costumes, curling hair, creating matching bows, and making sure every little detail was just right. Sheri had a creative spirit and a talent for making things beautiful. She enjoyed tending to her flower gardens, sewing, creating stained-glass windows and attending craft shows. She also had a beautiful singing voice, which in her younger years she shared at weddings and local talent shows where she took home several wins. And then there was shopping. Sheri believed in the powers of a little retail therapy, a favorite pastime she shared with her three older sisters and eventually passed along to her daughters. As much as Sheri loved being a mother, becoming “Nana” brought her another kind of joy. Her 16 grandchildren adored her, and visits with Nana were always something to look forward to. She seemed to have an endless supply of treats, most famously her legendary “Nana candy bag.” Squeeze cheese and Diet Mountain Dew were among the familiar staples of Nana’s world. She had a special way of making her grandchildren feel loved, spoiled, and always welcome. Those who knew Sheri will remember a woman who had a style entirely her own. Her visors, sparkly jewelry, perfectly manicured nails, carefully coordinated outfits, and, of course, that iconic “Sheri” hairdo were all part of what made her so memorable. She loved a little sparkle, took pride in looking her best, and wasn’t about to let a hair be out of place. But beyond the sparkle was a woman whose greatest happiness came from the people she loved. Whether she was attending a dance recital, shopping with her sisters and daughters, tending to her flowers, or handing another treat to a grandchild, Sheri filled her life with the things that mattered most to her.
Sheri is survived by her husband Harley, her daughters Alissa (Clayton), Hillary (Jason), Arianne (John), Taylor (Derek), and Heather; and her 16 beloved grandchildren, along with extended family and friends. She will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever unmistakably Sheri.
Celebration of life will be held Sunday, November 8, 2026, 2-6 p.m. at the Sapphire Event Center in Dennison, Minnesota. All are welcome. www.northfieldfuneral.com
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