Rodney Fost

Rodney Allen Fost came into this world prematurely on March 28, 1928 at the home of his Aunt, Ella Fost. He was placed in a shoe box and set next to the fire to stay warm. Rodney was the son of Carl Fredrick and Guida Louise (Roget) Fost. He attended schools in the Willard-Baker area. During the Great Depression his family moved to Oregon and Washington finding work picking apples and hops in a tree nursery. When Rodney was thirteen years old his mother passed away and Carl Fost moved his children to San Francisco where the whole family took part in the making of poles for tents used in the Southwest Pacific theatre conflict. Following his induction into the US Army in 1949, Rodney trained for and became a radio communication specialist serving during the Korean War. It was his infantry division that landed on the beach southwest of Seoul, as part of the enemy assault at the port city of Inchon, which later became recognized as one of the most brilliant moves in American military history. Rodney was honorably discharged in 1953 and returned to Baker. He became part owner, manager of the Farmers Union Gas Station and later the Green Dragon Bar & Lounge. On August 2, 1958, Rodney was married to Angela Mae Braun in Baker. Together they raised their family of five, Jerrie Anne, Don, Jim, Tim and Cindy. In 1961, he began working at Burns Insurance and Realty. He would continue working in the insurance and real estate industry for the remainder of his professional career. Experienced in real estate, and always the eternal optimist, Rodney purchased a small farm west of Baker which he later sold in 1975 to allow for development of the South Sandstone Reservoir recreation area. He managed and operated Green Acres Supper Club a number of years. In addition to other jobs and ventures along the way he owned and operated Fost Realty until his retirement. Rodney enjoyed bowling, a competitive pinochle game, poker, shooting pool, traveling, visiting and “coffee-time”. One momentous occasion took place in 2008 when both he and his son Tim received an invitation to play in the 39thAnnual World Series of Poker tourney in Las Vegas, Nevada, placing in the tournament. He enjoyed the Colorado River and climate at Bullhead City, Arizona where he often spent time. There was a special fatherly bond between Rodney and daughter Cindy, yet he loved all his family equally and in turn was loved by them. He was extremely proud of each child, grandchild, great-grandchild, niece, nephew and other relative, and made sure that pride was known. Rodney found his peace passing away near the Colorado River on May 04, 2013 while enjoying a “just one last time” trip to Arizona with his daughter. Rodney is survived by sons, Don (Karen) Gunderson of Houston, TX, and Jim Gunderson of Bakersfield, CA; daughters, Jerrie Anne (Russ) Newell and Cindy (Kenny) Heaps of Baker; daughter-in-law, Debbie Gunderson of Helena, MT; brother, James Fost of Baker; sister, Delphine Hoenke of Baker; and 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildrenHe was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Guida; wife, Angela; and son, Tim Gunderson.


Click to View Program (PDF)


Burial Date: May 10, 2013
Funeral Home Baker, MT

Funeral Service: Friday: Stevenson Funeral Home, Baker, MT