Robert Forde

Robert Forde, age 65, of Decorah died Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. A Celebration of Life and Memory was held Saturday, August 7 at Big Canoe Lutheran Church, Decorah with Rev. Waldemar Gies officiating. Interment was at Iowa River Cemetery.

Robert Odell Forde was born August 7, 1955 to Omer and E. Shirley (Berge) Forde at the Smith Memorial Hospital in Decorah. He was baptized and confirmed at the Big Canoe Lutheran Church. He attended grade school at Pleasant #1 through eighth grade. Robert was a member of the FFA at the Decorah High School and graduated from there in 1973.

After high school, he farmed with his parents. In the summer of 1984-1985 he went to Miles City, MT and worked for a custom farmer. He then returned home and continued to farm with his parents and then on his own until present. He had also been working at Deco Products Co. in Decorah since 1987 to the present. Robert enjoyed going to family get-togethers, rodeos, tractor pulls, listening to country music and talking with his nurses when he was receiving treatments.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Omer and Esther “Shirley” (Berge) Forde.

Honorary casketbearers were Jerry Kruse, Bob Kelly, Scott Nagel, Dennis Bigler, Jake Bresnahan, Loren Kimber, Loryl Bolson, Steve Bigler, David Bigler, Ron Bigler, Sherri Stub and Andrea Breitsprecher. Casketbearers were Bud Gavle, Nels Gavle, Mark Gavle, Rodney Seegmiller, Ellen Sexton, Kristan Mashek and Jennie Vobr.

Schluter-Balik Funeral Home in Decorah assisted the family with arrangements.