Margaret Jane (Ostrander) Repp Foster

Margaret Jane Ostrander Repp Foster, 78, died on Friday, September 12, 2025, at Newton Village. A celebration of her life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, September 22, 2025, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will greet friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service and again after the service with a lunch at the funeral home. Memorials to the Kellogg Methodist Church or Suncrest Hospice may be left at the funeral home.

Margaret was born in Waterloo on January 10, 1947 – at home, as she couldn’t wait for her mom to get to the hospital, so her dad had to deliver her.  The doctor arrived just in time to cut the cord.  Her parents, Harold Ray and Jeanette Lucille (Turnbull) Ostrander, were deceased when she was a young child, so Margaet grew up without a traditional family unit.

Margaret went through the Waterloo School system, graduating from East High School in 1965.  She worked her first job as a nurse’s aid at St. Francis Hospital in Waterloo.  While attending Omaha Baptist Bible College in Nebraska she worked at Douglas County Hospital as a nurse’s aide.  Later, after raising her family, she worked at Alco-Duckwell and Wal-Mart in Newton, retiring on September 30, 2019.

Margaret was married to Jerry Wayne Repp in 1967, and to this union was born three wonderful children: Michelle, Scott, and Heather.  Margaret was born to be a comforter and nurturer and took pride in raising her children.

Later in life, Margaret married Charles Edward Foster, “the love of her life”.

Margaret was an avid bowler, card player, she enjoyed reading and was an excellent cook and baker.  She loved exploring new recipes and always kept the children supplied with cookies and baked goods.  Margaret enjoyed her church family at Kellogg Methodist Church.  She served as the church’s Financial Secretary and worked at the church-supported Food Pantry.

Margaret always took pride in being a grandmother and loved her four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.  She attended their ball games, theater productions, and dance recitals when she could.

Margaret leaves behind a peaceful and quiet footprint of love and comfort. She was always loving and faithful in her beliefs.  She always tried to be fair. She touched the hearts of many and will remain a part of them forever.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; her aunt and uncle, Helen and Clarence Olson; half-brothers, Ted Jones and Glenn (Harriet) Jones; half-sister, Helen Warenborg; her brother, Lee (Karin) Ostrander; and a niece, Peggy Ann Buck.

Margaret  is survived by her life-partner and husband, Charles Foster; children, Michelle Sue (Steve) Adams, Christopher Scott (Crystal) Repp, and Heather Lyn Repp; her grandchildren, Jacob Repp, Dillon Reece, Cheyanne Azbill, and Colton Azbill; great-grandchild, Raelyn Jane Olinger; Margaret’s best friend, Suzanne Johnson and her husband, Bob; and close friend (husband, Charles’ sister-in-law), Denise Purvis-Sedlock. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and their families.

A special thank you to Tamitha and Stan with Suncrest Hospice for their loving care of Margaret.  

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