Charles

Folster

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Charles Folster, who passed away peacefully in his sleep at the Foam Lake Jubilee Nursing Home on September 23, 2026, at the age of 100.

Charles was born on January 10, 1926, on the homestead in the Birch Creek district to Thomas and Esther Folster. He grew up on the family farm and attended the Birch Creek country school. As a young man, Charles served in the Canadian Army. After returning home, he ventured to Ontario, where he worked in the gold mines.

In 1950, Charles returned to the homestead to help his father on the farm. It was during this time that he met the love of his life, Doreen Hurlbert, while she was waitressing at a restaurant in Foam Lake, Saskatchewan. Charles and Doreen were married on December 28, 1951, and went on to have seven children together.

In 1966, they left the farm and moved to Elfros, Saskatchewan, where they lived for 38 years. While Doreen raised their children, Charles worked at the Wynyard poultry plant for more than 20 years. Upon retiring, they moved to Wadena, where they lived until Doreen’s passing in 2007.

Charles continued to live independently in Wadena until the age of 95, when he decided he needed some extra care and moved to The Wandor Inn in Foam Lake, Saskatchewan, in 2021. He lived there for three years before eventually moving to the Foam Lake Jubilee Nursing Home.

Charles was a warm, kind, and loving man who had a great love of music, gardening, dogs, and nature walks. He began playing music at a very young age, and it became a lifelong passion. He played in several different bands for countless weddings, anniversaries, and other celebrations. Charles played many instruments, including guitar, mandolin, and banjo, but he was best known for his incredible talent on the violin.

He loved his garden and planted one every year until well into his 90s! If he wasn’t playing music or working in the garden, you would find him out for his evening walk, with treats in his pockets for the neighbourhood dogs.

But most of all, Charles loved his family—his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Charles was predeceased by his wife, Doreen Folster; his parents, Thomas and Esther Folster; his half-brothers, John, Philip, Jake, Edward, and Solomon Bellamy; his half-sisters, Violet, Rosie, and Lilly Bellamy; his brother, Robert Folster; his son, James Folster; his granddaughter, Crystal Ann Gerlech; and his great-granddaughter, Casamira Faith Rose Smoke.

He leaves to mourn his children: Henry Folster; Gary (Heather) Folster; Keith (Velda) Folster; Gail (Greg) Gelech; Debbie (Bernie) Blight; and Donna Folster; as well as close family friend Roger Sabiston.

He will also be lovingly remembered by his grandchildren: Reena Slifka, Holly Folster, Jason Folster, Quenton Folster, Nathan Folster, Courtney Hilderman , Chris Folster, Erin Folster, Jesse Folster, Micheal Gelech, Michelle Middleton, Justin Blight, Evan Blight, Darren Sabiston, and Stacey Sabiston; 24 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and numerous friends.

The family of Charles Folster would like to sincerely thank the staff at the Foam Lake Jubilee Nursing Home for the exceptional care given to our father during his time there.

Donations in memory of Charles' may be made to the

Canadian Cancer Society

55 ST Clair Avenue West | Suite 300 | Toronto, ON | M4V 2Y7

A Private Family Graveside Service will be held