Gerald Forst
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ST. GEORGE - Gerald Forst, 79, of St. George, died Saturday, July 4, 2009, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 8, at the St. George Catholic Church in St. George with Father Germaine Rademacher and Father James Moran celebrating the mass.
Burial will follow in the New Ulm Catholic Cemetery.
Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Tuesday and 7:30-9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home in New Ulm. There will be a rosary by the St. George Catholic Aid at 6 p.m. and a parish prayer service at 7 p.m. both Tuesday at the funeral home. To leave an online condolence or to sign the guestbook go to: www.mvfh.org.
Gerald is survived by his wife, Shirley Forst of St. George; daughters and sons-in-law, Joyce and Mark Venable of Ankeny, Iowa, Connie and Eddie Brown of St. George; sons and daughters-in-law, Randy Forst, Bryan and Margaret Forst, all of St. George, Perry and Shelly Forst of Norwood Young America, Paul and Jenifer Forst of Eden Prairie; grandchildren, Stacey (Dave) Lewis, Paul Venable and his fiance, Shawna Paca, Jeremy Venable, Chad (Amber) Brown, Jason (Melissa) Brown, Jesse Forst, Noah Forst and his special friend, Desrae Krueger, Evan Forst, Laura Forst, Ellen Forst, Madeline Forst, Elliot Forst, Oliver Forst, Isaac Forst; great-grandchildren, Tyler and Ryan Lewis, Caleb and Emily Brown, Madison and Morgan Brown; sister and brother-in-law, Aurelia "Sis" and Richard Kral of New Ulm; brothers and sisters-in-law, Stanley and Mildred Forst of Gibbon, and Robert and Alice Forst of New Ulm.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Vernita Kelly.
Gerald Herbert Forst was born on November 27, 1929 in West Newton Township, Nicollet County to Herbert and Agnes (Beranek) Forst. He attended St. George Grade School and was a graduate of the University of Minnesota Ag School where he was first trumpet in the University Marching Band. On October 18, 1950 he was united in marriage to Shirley Rose Hamann at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church in Lafayette. After marriage they farmed in West Newton Township, Nicollet County. Gerald was a longtime Mallard Seed dealer and a Standard Quality Feeds salesman and was a provider of custom tillage and spraying services to local farmers. He raised and showed National Champion Montadale Sheep as well as being a State Champion pork producer. Gerald had a love of crops and animals demonstrated through his 60 years of farming in rural St. George. He had a passion for horses his entire life. Gerald was a willing and gracious assistant with Shirley's love of flowers, and they both were avid old time music enthusiasts who enjoyed dances and music festivals throughout the Midwest. They supported and encouraged young musicians to develop their craft. He and Shirley regularly hosted musicians who were traveling to their next engagement. He was a lifelong member of St. George Catholic Church and former church council president, West Newton Township Board Member and Supervisor for 27 years, Rural Fire and Safety Board Member, Nicollet County Pork Producer, Catholic Aid Member and Catholic Order of Foresters Member.
Gerald will be greatly missed and loved by his wife of nearly 60 years; 6 children; 14 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and their families.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Hope Lodge of the American Cancer Society of Rochester, New Ulm Hospice, and the St. George Catholic Church.
