John Englebert Foye

CROSS PLAINS/BLACK EARTH- Our lives are story collections of how we lived, loved, laughed and cried. Few people loved a good story more than John Foye, whose own story peacefully ended January 25, 2015. The story of John, a rapid-talking, natural-born storyteller, began on August 30, 1930 when he was born to Devillo and Eleanora Foye. John grew up in Cross Plains, Wisconsin where he spent his childhood swimming in the mill pond, shooting marbles (for which he won a championship), and being a mischievous wild-child with a zest for adventure. Volumes would be filled with the tales from his idyllic and oft exciting childhood and adolescence. Young adulthood would take John’s life on a sobering turn as he joined the Army to serve his country during the Korean War. The stories from this time in John’s life were abundant as he talked about his exciting stint on ski patrol, myriad experiences in foreign countries, and the night his buddy saved his life. After Korea, John fell in love with Betty Esser, and thus began the story of the rest of his life. The two would marry on August 27, 1955 and build a life in Cross Plains where they raised Eight Little Foyes. Life was chaotic, sometimes difficult, but always full. Though John worked long hours to support his family, he often had time to sing his children to sleep with heartfelt renditions of Tom Dooley, Cool Clear Water, and the oh-so lovely, Green Berets. John supported his family working as a mill hand at Bowar Feed Mill. Many a farmer benefitted from John’s expertise and dedication and, of course, a really good story. Later John would work for the Middleton Farmers Coop and, upon retirement, he worked into his eighties as a handy man for the State Bank of Cross Plains. John’s commitment to community played out in his time served on the police commission, membership in the American Legion and his long tenure with the Cross Plains Area Fire Department which culminated in his position as Fire Chief, a role he served with pride. When diabetes finally took its toll, Dad left his beloved Cross Plains to reside with wife Betty, at Heartland Country Village in Black Earth where he received gentle care. As happens when one lives a long life, John lost many loved ones over the years with the most wrenching being the loss of his youngest son, Patrick. Others who left before John were his parents, Devillo and Eleanora, brother Arthur, sisters Dolores and Ruthie and infant great-granddaughters, Alexandra and Maggie and many other relatives. John’s story will continue through his wife Betty, his children, Pamela (Alden) Bosben, Melanie(Jack) Miller, Ann (Donny) Slotty, Jenifer Foye, Amy Foye, Brian Foye and Michael(Karen)Foye and his stories will continue to enrich the lives of his 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. John will also be remembered by his loving sisters Virginia Haag and Jeanne (Virgil) Lund, his mother-in-law Leona Esser and numerous relatives. A celebration of John’s life will take place at the Cross Plains American Legion Hall, 2217 American Legion Drive, Cross Plains, on Saturday, February 7 from 1-4 p.m. with a brief honor guard ceremony at 2 p.m. Please stop by to share your stories. Dad: “Can you see that big green tree, where the water’s running free and it’s waiting there for you and for me, water, cool, clear, water.” All our love … The End. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson Cross Plains Funeral & Cremation Care 2421 Church Street (608)798-3141