Margaret Foster Ketner

On Sunday, January 15th, 2023 Margaret Foster Ketner, loving wife, mother, and Oma passed away at the age of 79. Born to Mary Jane & Edson Foster October 15th, 1943, Margaret was raised in Manitowoc, WI. She attended the University of Wisconsin, graduating with a BA in Education with a focus on Speech Pathology. She moved to Tacoma, WA in 1966 to work in the Tacoma School District and met her husband, Robert Ketner, through mutual friends. The two were married in 1967 and continued the rest of their married life in the Pacific Northwest. Margaret stopped working in 1971 to start a family and raise 3 children, but later found her calling at Nordstrom in the Gallery Department and spent 15 years outfitting her friends and making new friends of her customers. Upon leaving Nordstrom she operated an in-home exclusive ladies clothing business, Doncaster, retiring from retail in 2006. She spent her remaining years being the Pied Piper of her many friends organizing hiking trips, pickleball sessions, lunches, dinners, and all things social, generally making sure we were all busy. Margaret was active in Jr. League, the YMCA, her church, and many charitable organizations.

Margaret could light up a room with her great smile and would welcome everyone with her open and gracious nature. Her incredibly positive spirit was contagious and she made a point of getting to know everyone in the room. “Best ever” was Margaret’s favorite phrase referring to anything from a grandchild to a sandwich and she made you believe it. You always felt better about life after spending time with Margaret.

Margaret loved family and was blessed with a large one. Her mother was one of four sisters that collectively brought 21 children into this world. Margaret enthusiastically traveled to family functions whenever and wherever they were held. The “Grand Dame” of the Hamilton family, she was always there and always coordinating the fun. Margaret loved her children and grandchildren immensely. She never missed a birth, birthday, wedding, or any other special event in their lives. Margaret was a good friend to many because of her willingness to be. There are countless examples of this, but the most striking was her return to Manitowoc for the High School reunion every five years to spend time with her girlfriends of 60 plus years.

The Lord has truly blessed our lives sharing her with all of us.

Margaret is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Robert Ketner, her children, Sara Hunter, Graham Ketner, and Robert Ketner (Andi), her grandchildren Dominique, Raegan, Sloane, and Beau, her brothers Peter Foster (Nancy), Perk Foster (Lisa), Fred Foster (Pam), and John Foster (Teresa), and her massive and loving family of first, second, and third cousins (all of them “her favorite”).

Margaret’s memorial service will be held at Lake City Community Church in Lakewood, WA March 4th at 11:00 am with a reception to follow at Tacoma Country Club. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Margaret’s favorite organizations, The Lakewood Family YMCA or the Lake City Community Church.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below for the Ketner family.