Master Sergeant Joseph Christopher 'Chris' Foltz

COTTAGE GROVE/SUN PRAIRIE-Master Sergeant Joseph Christopher "Chris" Foltz, age 39, of Sun Prairie, passed away on Tuesday, May 25, 2010, unexpectedly at home. He was born on Jan. 23, 1971, in Tulsa, Okla., the son of Myron and Kathy (Woods) Foltz. He married Lee Anne Knutsen on Oct. 26, 1998. He recently returned from Afghanistan. Chris was a quick wit, always making people laugh. Chris entered active duty on April 6, 1993 as 2E251 Electronic Component and Systems Specialist, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. He participated in Operation Desert Shield/Storm during this enlistment. He joined the Wisconsin Air National Guard on Jan. 21, 1997. He has been a member of 115th Communications Flight since that time. Chris participated in Operation Southern Watch Prince, Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia from Jan. 28, 2001 to Feb. 11, 2001. He also participated in Operation Enduring Freedom from January 2010 to May 2010. He was promoted to Airman on Oct. 6, 1993; promoted to Airman 1st Class on Feb. 2, 1994; promoted to Senior Airman on Oct. 6 1995; promoted to Staff Sergeant on Oct. 1, 1998; promoted to Technical Sergeant on Nov. 1, 2001; promoted to Master Sergeant on Jan 1, 2004. He worked for AT&T, as a field engineer for 13 years. He was very polite and respectful. He loved dogs and enjoyed riding his BMW motorcycle. Chris loved his family, especially his children, good friends, his military career and good friends he met. Chris is survived by his wife, Lee Anne; children, Bianca Ann Marie Foltz of Waunakee, Bryanna Lynne Knutsen of Sun Prairie, and Jenna Nicole Foltz of Sun Prairie; parents, Myron (Debby) Foltz of Rosholt, S.D., and Kathy (Ken) Smart of Cambridge; grandfather, J. C. Woods of Canon City, Colo.; mother-in-law, Sharon Kooi; brother-in-law, Jack Todd; sister-in-law, Colleen (Matt) Tallungan; mother-in-law, Martie (Vincent) DeMichael; uncles, Bob (Peggy) Foltz, Don Foltz, Ray (Joanne) Foltz, and Rick (Karen) Foltz all of Rosholt, S.D., and Michael Woods of Abilene, Texas; aunts, Joan (Dick) Keenan of Mankato, Minn., Viola (Bob) Poss of Fergus Falls, Minn., Sylvia (Gordie) Nelson of Fergus Falls, Minn., and Donna (Kerry) Newell of Canon City, Colo.; step-grandmother, Caryl Townsend of Rosholt, S. D.; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, June Woods; grandparents, Bill and Sally Foltz; step-grandmother, Angie Foltz; aunt, Carol Waters; and uncle, Jerry Foltz. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 29, 2010, with full military honors. Burial will be at St. Johns Cemetery in Rosholt, S. D. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, May 28, 2010, and from noon until the time of service on Saturday. Memorials may be made to Chris family for an education fund to be established for his children. "Rest in peace, Chris. We love you and will miss you. We will cherish you forever." Memorials: Memorials may be made to Chris family for an education fund to be established for his children. Cemetery: Burial will be at St. Johns Cemetery in Rosholt, S. D. Visitation: Visitation will be at the funeral home from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, May 28, 2010, and from noon until the time of service on Saturday. Service: Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 29, 2010, with full military honors.