Manuela "Ela" Foster

Ela Foster, 56, of Huntsville, AL, peacefully passed away on December 26th at home, surrounded by loved ones.

Ela was born Manuela Laubinger on September 3rd, 1966 to Brigitte Laubinger and Manfred Hass in the bustling city of Berlin Germany. She lost both parents at a very young age and therefore was raised by her grandmother, Emma Laubinger in West Berlin during the Cold War era. At that time Berlin was divided into two cities (East and West). The cities were completely surrounded by what is known as the Berlin wall. The wall came down in 1989 and the cities were reunited. Ela was proud of her Gypsy and German heritage. She often used it for educational purposes to describe the effects of living in a city surrounded by walls 

In 1987, Ela met a handsome young Army Specialist, while he was assigned to the Berlin Brigade. Specialist Joseph J. Foster courted Ela for a year before proposing. They  married on July 5, 1988 in West Berlin, Germany. To this union three beautiful children were born, Julian, Lanice and Moses.

Through Joseph’s military career, the happy couple lived in various military duty stations. McNair Army Base in West Berlin, Germany, Fort Benning Military Base in Columbus, Georgia, Fort Gordon Military Base in Augusta Georgia, Fort Wainwright Military Base in Fairbanks, Alaska and Des Moines, Iowa to name a few.  After their military retirement, they remained in Germany for 12 years before making the decision to relocate to the United States to be closer to family and friends. First, living in South Carolina, then Virginia and finally settling in Huntsville, Alabama. Ela loved the best of both worlds, however, Berlin Germany will always be home. 

Ela liked traveling, shopping, dancing and spending time with family and friends. Most importantly, she was a devoted wife and mother that took pride in caring for her family. Raising her children to be kind, respectful and compassionate brought her joy. Ela could be found reading her bible and studying the Watchtower and Daily Scripture. 

Ela was predeceased by her parents, Brigitte Laubinger and Manfred Hass, her paternal and maternal grandparents. She is survived by her devoted husband, SFC Joseph J. Foster, USA, Ret, three loving children, Julian Foster of Columbia, South Carolina, Lanice Foster of Huntsville, AL and Moses Foster of North Palm Beach, Florida. Maternal Uncle and Aunt Fernando and Soffie Laubinger of Berlin Germany.

Father and Mother-in-law, James and Aina Foster of Waukegan, IL., three sisters-in-laws: Janis Foster, Gloria (Dane) Morgan, and LaToya Foster, one brother-in-law: Randy Foster all of Waukegan, IL. and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins that adored and loved her.

A graveside service will be held at Hopewell Baptist Church located at 1414 Hopewell Baptist Church Road, Marion, Alabama on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be Friday, January 6, 2023 from 1pm to 5pm.

Please send any flowers or cards to Melvin Miller Funeral Home 302 Pickens St, Marion, AL 36756 

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