STOUGHTON-Earl Eugene Foster, age 90, of Stoughton, passed away peacefully early on Friday morning, March 2, 2012, at Skaalen Nursing Home. He was born at home on Dec. 30, 1921, in Woodman, the son of Ralph and Ada (Mitchell) Foster. He always said, “He was what they had leftover in 1921.” He grew up on the family farm with seven brothers and sisters. Earl graduated from Mt. Hope High School in 1940. After graduation, he moved to Madison, where he worked for Gisholdt Machine Shop until injury forced him to be hospitalized. Earl met Irene Dittburner, a student nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital, and they were married on Jan. 20, 1945, in Stoughton. They were married for 25 years, until Irene died in 1970. Earl served limited duty in Fort Sheridan, Ill. Earl worked for Ryan, Schultz and Dahl, and then Dane County Highway Department for 35 years, retiring in 1984. He loved his many years in road construction. After retirement, he was involved in organizing the Dane County Retirement Group. He was a long-time member of Bethel Lutheran Church. Earl met and married Phyllis (Anderson) Lambrecht on Oct. 9, 1971. He got much enjoyment from the outdoors. Earl enjoyed fishing, camping, gardening, feeding birds and squirrels, playing euchre, and telling stories of his life. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Phyllis Foster of Stoughton; son, Mark (Chon) Foster of Madison; daughters, Gail (Tom) Aaroen of McFarland, Joan Foster of Edgerton, and Jennifer (Jim) Stull of Cottage Grove; grandchildren, Josh (Leigha) Aaroen of Stoughton, Jake Aaroen of McFarland, Joe Aaroen of McFarland, Christopher Stull of Cottage Grove, and Ashley Stull of Madison; great-grandchildren, Bryonna and Kendra Aaroen; many nieces and nephews; and many loving friends and neighbors. He was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Arland, Ida Finn, Lenice Ariss, Leonard, Zach, Dale and Lois Rounds. Funeral services will be held at BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 312 Wisconsin Avenue, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 9, 2012, with friend, Pastor Curtis Everson presiding. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Friday. The family wishes to thank the Skaalen Nursing Home and St. Mary’s Hospital staff for the compassionate care they have given.