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Willard (Willie) Forster

Willard (Willie) Forster, age 86 passed away peacefully surrounded by family at St. Gertrude’s Care Center on Sunday, March 18, 2018.

Visitation will be on Saturday, March 24th from 9-10:45 AM followed by a Celebration of Life at 11 AM at the Church of St. Mary, 535 S. Lewis St., Shakopee, with Father Erik Lundgren presiding. Interment will be at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis at a later date.

Willard Francis Forster was born November 8, 1931 in New Ulm, MN to Theodore and Alice (Schneider) Forster. He attended Holy Trinity Catholic Schools of New Ulm, MN where he excelled on the football field. He graduated in 1950. Willard then served his country in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict from 1950-1954. Willard was aboard an aircraft carrier taking new jets to Japan for 36 months. After his honorable discharge, Willard attended Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis to learn his life-long trade as an auto body technician.

On June 2, 1956, Willard was united in marriage to Daria Steffl at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Morgan, MN. They had 58 wonderful years together raising a large family of 8 sons and 1 daughter. They began their wedded life in Eden Prairie, MN and eventually moved to Shakopee, MN. Willard worked for various car dealerships in the Twin Cities: Bud’s Auto Shop, Town’s Edge Olds, , Malkerson Motors , Shakopee Ford , and Peterson Pontiac. He loved attending his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events, encouraging them to reach their full potential. Willard also enjoyed his hobby of restoring Tonka toy trucks to their original luster. Willard retired in 1994. In his retirement, he worked for NAPA Auto Parts, as a deliveryman.

In March of 2002, the Forsters moved to Fairmont, MN. Willard was a member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church where he could be found every week in the prayer chapel, praying for the church, community, and world. Willard was also a member of the St. John Vianney Knights of Columbus. He manned the popcorn machine on Wednesday nights at BINGO. He also served as an honor guard at fellow Knights’ funerals. Willard was a lifelong member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, as well as the American Legion.

Willard moved back to Shakopee, MN in November of 2016. He resided at The Henderson Senior Living Complex. Cribbage, Thirty-one, and dice games were enjoyed by all who visited. He was a member of The Church of St. Mary’s in Shakopee.

Survivors include Willard’s sons, Douglas of Stillwater, MN, Perry (Dawn) of Shakopee, MN, Craig (Joice) of Fairmont, MN, Jay of Belle Plaine, MN, Steven (Denise) of Savage, MN, Mark (Kristin) of Prior Lake, MN, Ryan (Carrie) of Rosemount, MN; 12 grandchildren, Tony Forster (Maggie), Megan Sandhurst (Brent), Cassie Forster-Broten (Luke), Katie and Tom Forster, Michael Forster, Robin Forster, Emily and Luke Forster, Peighton, Lacey and Brecken Forster; 1 great-grandchild, Charlotte Grace Sandhurst; two sisters, Shirley Romberg of Mankato, MN and Carmen Ulmen of Madelia, MN; 1 sister-in-law Jan Steffl of New Ulm, MN; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Daria Forster; son, Ronald Forster; daughter, Lynette Forster; his parents, Theodore and Alice Forster; father and mother-in-law, Andrew and Matilda Steffl; brothers-in-law, David Steffl, Leonard Steffl, Aaron Romberg and Kenneth Ulmen; sister-in-law, Mary Steffl; nephew, Richard Steffl; niece, Therese Schleppenbach.

Let not your heart be troubled, I go to prepare a place for you-that where I am, there you may be also. I pray that God will give you eyes to see beyond the clouds of Earth into the glory of Heaven and the peace that comes from knowing that the one you love is there in His arms.

Arrangements with McNearney-Schmidt Funeral and Cremation, Shakopee 952-445-2755. Condolences may be shared at www.mcnearneyfuneralhome.com

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