Foster Mooney

Foster Lee Mooney, owner of Jewel Lane Farm in Chisago City, passed away on November 5, 2020, after a brief illness. He leaves behind his devoted and loving wife of 53 years, Karen Miklya Mooney; brother Dean (Dawn) Mooney of Maple Plain; sister Jane (Dr. Arne) Olson of Longmont, CO; sister-in-law, Dayle (Douglas) Bistodeau of Chisago City; brother-in-law Brad (Anne) Miklya of Grantsburg, WI; as well as several nieces, nephews; great nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his lifelong friends, Dr. Chuck Gehrman and Al Lange of Edina, and the two angels he called his “Girl Gang” Molly Nyberg and Deb Trippler.

Foster was born in Owatonna, MN, in 1942, to Richard and Carol Mooney. He grew up on the family’s farm in Maple Plain, where his love of 4-H, sheep, and gardening began. He attended the Orono schools and graduated from St. Cloud State College with a degree in biology. After briefly teaching biology at Eden Prairie High School, he and Karen bought a parcel of the Miklya farm in Chisago County and began farming there in the early 70s.

Over the years, Foster served on the boards of many organizations, including Chisago County Fair, Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers, Minnesota Fruit and Vegetables Growers, and Lindstrom Farmers Market. He was a member of the Maplewood Jaycees, Stacy Lions, and the Chisago Lakes Chamber of Commerce.

Awards he achieved included a trip to Washington, DC as one of only four young 4-Hers from Minnesota, Honorary Chapter Farmer of FFA, Fairboard Person of the Year, Silver Bell Award from Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers, and Minnesota Farm Family of the Year.

He loved to share his expertise in farming and raising sheep with countless 4-H kids, neighbors, and other young people. He took great pride in his work as a farmer, raising top notch Hampshire sheep and wonderful vegetables. He loved greeting people and making new friends wherever he went, but most especially at the Lindstrom Farmers Market.

Foster (known as “Fuzzy” since boyhood) was never shy about speaking the truth as he saw it. He was a hard worker, a kind and generous soul, and frequent purveyor of hilarious jokes and stories. He also kept a book of his wise words, which we called “Fuzzy-isms.” He was one of the really good ones, and the world is a far better place for his having lived among us.

Visitation will be held from 3-7 p.m. Wednesday, November 11, 2020 at Mattson Funeral Home, 343 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake. A private family service will be held at 1 p.m., on Thursday, November 12, 2020, at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Interment at Stacy Cemetery. A Celebration of Foster’s Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Stacy, MN.