James B. Foss, age 85, a lifelong Kenyon farmer, passed away peacefully on Monday evening, August 26, 2024, at Cannon Rivers Senior Living in Cannon Falls.
James Bennett Foss was born on December 30, 1938, in Faribault, to Selmer and Borgny (Okkelberg) Foss. He graduated from Kenyon High School in 1956 and from the University of Minnesota School of Agriculture in 1958.
Jim married Elizabeth "Liz" Pagel on October 6, 1962, at Spring Garden Lutheran Church in Cannon Falls. They raised their two sons on their farm near Kenyon.
An active member of Holden Lutheran Church in Kenyon, Jim was also involved in many associations. He served on the MN State Fair Board from 2002-2011, including a term as president from 2012-2013. He was a member of the Goodhue County Fair Board from 1959-2022, the Wanamingo School Board, the MN Livestock Breeders Association for 60 years, the National Milking Shorthorn Association Board, and the MN FFA Foundation. Jim was inducted into the MN Livestock Breeders Hall of Fame. He and Liz were honored as Goodhue County Citizens of the Year in 2015 and National Milking Shorthorn Citizens of the Year. Jim and Liz traveled everywhere together for board meetings and volunteering. They were inseparable as a team.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 62 years, Liz of Cannon Falls; sons, Tim (Janet) of Omaha, NE, and Tom (Julie) of Cambridge; four granddaughters, Lauren of Omaha, NE, Jordan of Kansas City, KS, Abby, and Allison, both of Cambridge; sister, Sandra Anderson of Stillwater; brothers, Steven (Lori) and Davis, both of Kenyon; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
His wife, Liz died on Saturday morning, August 31, 2024. A memorial service for Jim and Liz will be held at Holden Lutheran Church on Saturday, September 21 at 11:00 am, with visitation from 9-11 am. This service will be livestreamed and available to view at www.LundbergFuneral.com under the Elizabeth "Liz" Foss obituary. A private family Interment will be at the church cemetery.
Active urn bearers will be their granddaughters.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Holden Cemetery or the MN State Fair Foundation.
