Janice Kay Foster
Janice Foster Obituary
In loving memory of
Janice Kay Foster
Janice Foster was born on March 6, 1964, in Slayton, MN, to Sidney and Joan Timmerman Foster. She lived on the family farm north of Slayton and attended Slayton Public Schools until her graduation from high school in 1982. After high school, she attended Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall. In July 1983, Janice married Garry Schmidt of Slayton, and they made their home near Slayton. They later divorced. She graduated from SMSU in 1986 with a bachelor degree in accounting and in computer science. Within a few months after graduating from college, she got a job as a cost accountant for Campbell Soup Co. in Worthington, MN. She received a CPA certificate in 1987. In 1989, she was promoted to Manager of Cost Accounting. While working for the Campbell Soup Co. in Worthington, she applied for a position at a Campbell Soup facility in Victoria, Australia. She was accepted for this position and she was granted a two-year visa to work and live in Australia. She moved to Australia in December 1989 to work at the plant in Lemnos (near Shepparton), Victoria, Australia. Soon after arriving in Australia, she met Michael, Kluge. Michael eventually became her companion and life partner for the rest of her life. The same pluck and love of adventure that led Janice to get a job in Australia led her (and Michael) to spend nearly a year doing worldwide travel. It also led her to change careers; she became a landscape architect. She began her course work in landscape architecture at the University of Minnesota School of Architecture, and she finished her Master of Architecture degree program at the University of Melbourne. She decided to settle in Australia and to create a family in Australia with Michael. She worked as a landscape architect for the same firm for 20 years. In July of 2017, Janice was diagnosed with cancer. After a gallant and courageous battle with cancer, Janice passed away on March 20, 2019, at Peter MacCallum Hospital in Melbourne at the age of 55. Janice enjoyed spending time with Michael and her son, Finn. Janice’s and Michael’s love of the Australian bush saw the family going on frequent outings for picnics, hiking, and camping. She also enjoyed music, reading, and gardening. She always strove to be fit and healthy. Janice deeply loved her distant family, and she, along with Michael and Finn, made regular visits to the U.S.A.
Janice is survived by her life partner Michael Kluge, and her son, Finn Kluge, both of St. Kilda, Victoria, Australia. She is also survived by her siblings Hugh Foster and his wife, Dale Ann, of Northbrook, IL; Diane Foster and her husband, Phillip Ives, of Carver, MN; and Cheryl Weber and her husband, Vin, of Alexandria, VA. She was preceded in death by her parents and by a stillborn daughter, Iona.
MEMORIAL SERVICES
An interment service for family members will be held at the Slayton Cemetery on Tuesday, July 30, at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Ethanie Schmidt officiating.
All friends and family are invited to a celebration of Janice’s life on Tuesday, July 30, at 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at The Silverberg (The Plaid Moose’s site for events) at 2645 Broadway Ave. in Slayton, MN.
Janice’s family wishes to thank all those in both the U.S.A. and in Australia who have provided kind words and support.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Janice Kay Foster, please visit our floral store.
