Norman Forde, age 84, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Waukon, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Big Canoe Lutheran Church, 1381 Big Canoe Road, Decorah, Iowa, with Pastor Matthew Becker presiding. Burial will be held in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church on Thursday morning.

Norman Forde was born in Decorah, Iowa on January 24, 1942 to Lewis and Myrtle (Mikelson) Forde. He graduated from Decorah High School in 1960. He was baptized at Big Canoe Lutheran Church and confirmed at Decorah Lutheran church. Norman was united in marriage to Karen Elizabeth Hovey on May 4, 1968. To this union, two children were born: Keith and Kurt. Norman and Karen started farming in Decorah Township and later moved to Pleasant township in 1973 to raise dairy, beef and hogs for many years. Through those farming years, he and Karen received many recognitions for their holstein dairy herd and milk production as well their beef cattle.

At the age of seventeen, he lost his father to a farming accident. This change pushed him to take on additional farming responsibilities. For Norman, the added work and responsibilities instilled core characteristics of hard work and a strong moral compass that would guide him for a lifetime.

Norm was involved at the Big Canoe Lutheran church serving on the council for many years. He was a 4-H club leader as well. He enjoyed fishing and always looked forward to the annual deer hunt. Norm always kept things in perspective with a steady dose of his dry humor and looking at issues from all sides. He never shied away from taking on a big work load in all his years of farming. He also appreciated the company and social gatherings with friends, neighbors and especially family. He liked to keep tabs on the Iowa Hawkeye games and enjoyed playing cards.

Norm is survived by his wife Karen and two sons Keith (Jody) of Decorah and Kurt (Jamie) of Denver, Iowa; three grandsons, Cody, Parker and Jaden and two granddaughters, Katey and Avery, one great grandson Cameron and one sister, Linda Ott of Minnesota.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Kenneth, infant sister and infant brother, Kermit.

The family would like to thank the staff at Good Samaritan Home, Veterans Memorial Hospital and St Croix Hospice for their care of Norman.