Obituary of Kurtiss Forsberg

Kurtiss was born August 19, 1924, to Ebba (Ringquist) and Edwin Forsberg, on their farm near Mentor. He was a retired dairy farmer. He is preceded in death by his parents; infant son, Lawrence Kent; and brothers Romaine(Bill), Gordon(Gus), and Glenn Forsberg. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Elaine; two daughters, Deb Spare and husband Bernie of St. John, KS and Ellen Ward and husband Clint of Tahlequah, OK; and six grandchildren, Isaac and Aaron Spare of St. John, Rachel Spare of Hutchinson, and Ethan, Melanie, and Audrey Ward of Tahlequah, OK. Also his sister Dolly Nelson of Smolan and numerous nieces and nephews. He graduated from Assaria high School in 1943. And served his country during WWII. He married Elaine Peterson on June 6, 1948. Kurt was loyal to and protective of Elaine. He was always making sure she was taken care of and we girls heard, " you girls help your Mom now" a lot, while growing up and as adults. He and his brothers started Forsberg Dairy Farm with registered Holsteins at the Mentor Farm where he was born We knew Dad to be a good businessman with common sense and without fear of trying something new. He and his brothers and nephew came up with a lot of innovative ideas from farm machinery to new Holstein breeding practices. He passionately loved the farm and wanted to see the family farm preserved. He served in many areas of the dairy industry, most notably serving as past president of the National Holstein-Freisian Dairy Association and was awarded the Kansas Distinquished Dairy Family in 1998. He received many milk production awards with his brothers and nephew. He enjoyed the distinction of being a member of the Kansas Corn Commission. Kurtiss was active in his favorite things- family, farming, community and church. Dad liked to meet and talk to new people, most importantly, getting on first name basis with people. He liked to be around younger people because he liked hearing new ideas. After he sold the cows, he loved to make the rounds and drink coffee with his friends at the bank, crop service, and the sale barn. Kurtiss was baptized and confirmed at St. Pauls Lutheran Church and later a member of the Assaria Lutheran Church. Serving the community, he was a charter member of the Assaria Lions Club, an Assaria school board member, and a Crime Stoppers board member. He was a member of the Scottish rite of Salina and Isis Engineers, the American Legion, and the VFW. He enjoyed his years on the Assaria State Bank Board of directors, and then as a First Bank Kansas director. He also sold Swedish-American Insurance and was on their board. Besides his love of the farm, his favorite hobbies were fishing and golfing. Dad and his 1st golfing partner, brother Gus, started playing at the Lindsborg Course. The Salina Municipal course and then later Riverbend par 3, hold great memories for his grandkids and special golfing friends-many among you. We realized how much Dad loved the game when he gave up his only 3 free hours a week on Sunday afternoon, no matter how tired he was, to go play. River cat fishing and Colorado fly-fishing were favorite past times that he enjoyed passing on to his kids and grandkids. He looked forward to his frequent trips to St. John, Ks and Tahlequah, Ok to support his grandchildren in their activities. He expressed his love for his grandchildren by being interested in the details and happenings in each of their lives. Dad's work ethic and stamina was off the charts—a good trait for a dairyman J. Used to a schedule of rising at 4:30 am every morning to milk, he had breakfast at 8:00, then fieldwork till 3:30 and milking again until 6:00. We girls learned at an early age that it was a bad idea to accidentally wake Dad with noisy play during his 30min. nap on the living room floor after lunch! He teased us sometimes when we would sleep late that he had put in a full days work before we even got up! Dad was the type that knew what he wanted, wanted it now, and was prepared to make it happen. He was a good leader. His drive and determination sustained him to the end. He was a loving husband, father, and papa and we will miss him immensely. Visitation will be Sunday, from 5-7pm with family present from 6-7pm at Christians Funeral Home, Lindsborg. A Funeral Service will be held Monday, January 31, at Assaria Lutheran Church at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be held at Assaria Lutheran Church Cemetery. Memorials may be designated to Assaria Lutheran Church in care of Christians Funeral Home 103 N. Washington St. PO Box 386 Lindsborg, KS 67456.