Foster, Betty Ann

Betty Ann Foster - age: 86
(June 28, 1935 to July 20, 2021 )
Resident of Ukiah, California

Obituary:
Betty Ann Foster passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on, Tuesday
July 20, 2021 at the age of 86. Betty was born in Placerville, CA. Her family moved to Mendocino County in 1945.

Born Betty Ann Ekenberg to Chester Arthur “Doc” and Ann Ekenberg (Buhlman) on June 28, 1935. Betty attended the Ukiah School District and graduated in 1953. Betty married Kenneth Leroy Foster on May 30, 1954. Betty worked at Masonite, and then started working at Al Thrasher Lumber Company on June 29, 1959. Betty was the first woman on the payroll of the Al Thrasher Lumber Company. Betty had worked her way up to Sales Manager. They had called Betty “Queen of the Redwoods”. Masonite had bought out Al Thrasher Lumber Company in 1969. When Masonite closed Betty worked for a few other lumber companies before retiring.

Betty and Ken loved to travel and camping up at Lake Pillsbury and Blue Lakes with the boys. They were members of the Ukiah Promendars Square Dance Club. In 1969 Betty and her husband Ken purchased a ranch that had vineyards in Redwood Valley. She was a second generation grape grower. In 1987 Ken and Betty started Elizabeth Vineyards and making wine. In 2005, she started making Olive Oil.

Betty was a member of numerous clubs and organizations within the Ukiah Valley.
Betty was the 1998 Agriculturist of the year from the Redwood Empire Fair.

After the passing of Ken, Betty met Manny Borges over in Lakeport at the Hallmark store. They started dating and Manny became Betty’s other love of her life. They enjoyed traveling, dancing and having parties for their friends and family.

A few of her travels were to Hawaii, Mexico, Spain, Italy, Portugal, and enjoyed going on Cruises. They enjoyed traveling in their motor home and spending the winters down south in El Centro.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years Kenneth Leroy Foster, her parents, Chester Arthur “Doc” Ekenberg and Ann Ekenberg (Buhlman).

Betty is survived by her children, Mark Foster (Debbie), Eric Foster (Tammy), her sister Mary Louise Chase (Leroy), grandchildren, Elizabeth Andress (Ryan), Jennifer Dickson (Josh), Josh Foster (Brittney), Ashley Foster, Justin Foster, 9 great grandchildren and her dear friend, Manny Borges. She is also survived by her nephew Lorne Chase (Karen) and niece Del Buker (Don), numerous nieces and nephews, and cousins.


Betty touched the lives of many and she will be missed by all who knew her.

Betty’s Family would like to thank her amazing caregivers: Marie Linda Bolstad, Juanita Moreno and Sharon Robinson.

Viewing will be held on Thursday, July 29, 2021 from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Eversole Mortuary. Graveside services will be on Friday, July 30, 2021 at 9:00 am at the Russian River Cemetery in Ukiah. A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held at a later date.

In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Phoenix Hospice, 100 San Hedrin Circle, Willits, Ca. 95490