Keith Foltz

Keith “Chico” Foltz, age 86, of Burr Oak, IA, died on Monday, August 1, 2011, at the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah, IA. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, August 4, 2011, at the Burr Oak Lutheran Church with Rev. Matt Larson presiding. Burial will be in the Hesper Public Cemetery, Hesper, IA. Friends may call from 3:00-7:00 p.m., on Wednesday at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah, and also after 9:30 a.m., at the church on Thursday morning. There will be an I.O.O.F. Home service at 6:00 p.m., on Wednesday evening at the funeral home. Keith Crosby “Chico” Foltz was born on June 16, 1925, the son of Ernest “Ern” and Elizabeth “Babe” (Thompson) Foltz, on his grandparents’ farm near Hesper, Iowa. Keith attended country school near Hesper, Decorah Community Schools and graduated from Canton High School in Canton, MN, in 1943. He then farmed with this father. Keith married Rosella “Rosie” Smith on October 15, 1948, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They were blessed with four children: Darlene, Robert, Diane, and Della. Together they farmed in Hesper Township, raising Purebred Spotted Poland China hogs, until they moved into Burr Oak in 1970. Chico enjoyed showing his hogs at county and state fairs and at the barrow show in Austin, MN. Chico also worked for Northeast Iowa Sales Commission in Waukon, where he spotted and bought cattle for them for forty years. He always enjoyed being at the Sale Barn, where he could visit with people. Chico enjoyed his cats, playing cards and attending horse pulls. Above all, Chico loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren and especially loved to take them to the candy store for a special treat. He was a sixty-five year member of the I.O.O.F. Winneshiek Lodge #58. Keith is survived by his two daughters: Diane (Harlan) Palmer, Decorah and Della (Kevin) Whalen, Decorah, IA. One son: Robert Foltz, Decorah, IA. Five grandchildren: Melissa (Will) Manhart, Michelle and David (friend, Anna) Palmer; Richard (friend, Sara) Hollenbeck and Rusty (Gina) Whalen. Four great grandchildren: Kennedy, Kaesen, & Kyler Manhart and Aiden Whalen, along with several nieces and nephews. Keith was preceded in death by his parents: Ernest “Ern” and Elizabeth “Babe” (Thompson) Foltz. His wife: Rosella Foltz on March 26, 2006. His daughter: Darlene Foltz on Aug. 1, 2008. One brother: Curtis (Anastasia) Foltz in 1983.