Forrest C. Smith

RUSHFORD, MINN. - Forrest Smith died Saturday morning April 11, 2009 at the age of 87. He is survived by his wife Marge, (Taylor) Smith of Rushford; his daughter Jenni and husband Whitey of Altura and three grandsons; Dan Iverson of Woodbury, Rick Iverson of Altura and Jeff Oium of Winona. One daughter and his parents preceded him death.Forrest was born in St. Charles to Walter and Leonora Smith - the second family of Walter and Nora's only child. His big brothers Bernard, Lloyd and Lyle set great examples of patience, fun and the joy to be found in working with people, animals and your own two hands. He married Marge Taylor in 1946 and graduated from St. Olaf College in 1947. When the city of Rushford needed something, he was there as councilman, promoter and Mayor. When his family needed something he was there with republican advice and democratic understanding. When the church needed something he was there to balance their books, greet their guests, and turn up the heat. When his job needed something he was there anytime of the day or night, weekends and holidays too. And when his friends needed something he was there to fix it or mix it. The War to end all Wars took him into the US Navy from 1942-1946. His assignment was to the American and Asiatic theatres and the Philippine Liberation. He worked on the Norden bombsite and towed targets for practice towards the invasion of Japan and he flew all the time. He was proud to serve his country. Forrest loved to travel - Alaska in '68 and France in '78. Photography was a passion with his cats and flower beds favorite subjects. He was a member of the Legion, the VFW, Lions Club and Ferndale also caught his attention. AFS students came under his wing, Maite, Hans, and Piedad. Homeless newcomers and flooded neighbors got a spare bed, sleeping bag or couch. Also, the Minnesota Vikings brought him hours and hours of joy and pain, minute financial gain and loss. And man oh man could he ever sing! I think we are going to miss him for sure. There will be a memorial service for Forrest at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14, at Hoff Funeral Homes - Rushford Chapel with the Rev. Tammy Rider officiating. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday at Hoff Funeral Homes - Rushford Chapel. Burial will take place in the Worth Cemetery, Rural Utica, Minn. The family prefers memorials to First Presbyterian Church of Rushford or Good Shepherd Lutheran Home.Please leave a memory of Forest and sign his online guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com