Eileen Florinda (Foss) Chapman, 78

Eileen Florinda (Foss) Chapman, 78, of Montgomery, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021, at the Mayo Hospital in Mankato.

Eileen was born on April 2, 1942, in Reine Township (Skime) of Roseau County, MN, to Olaf and Florinda (Skime) Foss. She was a 1960 high school graduate of International Falls High School.

Eileen met her sweetheart, Harvey Chapman, at a bowling alley in International Falls when she was 20 years old and they were united in marriage on March 14, 1964, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in International Falls.

They lived in Eagan for a couple years where she worked as a teller at a local bank, and then they moved to a farm north of Montgomery, where they have lived ever since.

Eileen was a hardworking, caring homemaker and wife, raising four children until they were all in school. She then worked as a bank teller at the State Bank of New Prague, Marquette Bank in New Prague and then Citizens State Bank in Montgomery until her retirement.

She was the spark plug of the family – always positive, always approaching life with gusto and fun no matter the circumstances. Eileen and Harvey provided a solid, loving and fun home on the farm where family loves to congregate. She and Harvey had an adoring marriage. She cherished her family, and her grandchildren meant the world to her.

Eileen loved the farm, going to the family cabin on East Battle Lake during the summers, playing games with her grandchildren, going to the casino, baking, jewelry (especially fun earrings), any and all flowers, pink lipstick, and the many birds that would visit her beautiful flower gardens and fountain.

Eileen is survived by her loving, and doting husband of 56 years, Harvey Chapman of Montgomery; children, Beth Chapman of St. Paul, Michael (Carrie) Chapman of New Prague, Lisa (Troy) Kruse of Stillwater, and Jeff (Beth) Chapman of New Prague; grandchildren, Emma, Sophie, and Mark Chapman, Trey, Selena, and Jaslyn Kruse, James Lincoln, Lain and Jack Chapman; and brothers William (Faye “the sister she never had”) Foss, Cold Spring, MN, and Ell-Kay (June) Foss, Wannaska, MN, who both affectionately only called her “Sis.”

Eileen was preceded in death by her parents, and brother in infancy.

A private family service will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Montgomery.

Arrangements are with the Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery, 507-357-6116. On-line condolences may be left at www.schoenbauerfuneralhome.com.