Omer Forde

Omer Forde, age 92, of Decorah, Iowa, died on Sunday, January 30, 2011, at Wellington Place in Decorah, Iowa. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011, at the Big Canoe Lutheran Church with Rev. David Andreae presiding. Burial will be in the Iowa River Cemetery, rural Waukon, IA. Friends may call from 3:00-7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, February 2, 2011, at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah, and after 12:30 p.m., at the church on Thursday afternoon. Omer John Forde was born on July 17, 1918, the son of John and Clara (Slinde) Forde on a farm near Waterville, Iowa. Omer was baptized Sept. 8, 1918 at Big Canoe Lutheran Church under the hand of Pastor T.O. Tolo. His sponsors were Andrew and Minnie Forde, Nettie Slinde, and Edgar Gavle. Omer was confirmed his faith July 24, 1932 at Big Canoe also under the guidance of Pastor Tolo. Omer attended country school near Waterville, Iowa, in Allamakee County and then to Pleasant Township #1 country school in Winneshiek County. As a young man, he worked as a hired man for Knute Stoen and hauled cream into Highlandville. On June 2, 1948, he married Shirley Berge at the Big Canoe Lutheran Church and together they farmed near Sattre from 11949-2005. Omer was a member of the Big Canoe Lutheran Church. Omer is survived by his wife: Shirley Forde, Decorah, IA. Two daughters: Barbara (Rich) Hammel, Decorah, IA; and Julie (Rick) Bakken, Decorah, IA. One son: Robert Forde, Decorah, IA. Three grandchildren: Jeremy & Ashley Bakken and Sarah Hammel. One brother: Arlan (Marge) Forde, Decorah, IA. Four sisters-in-law: Irene Gulrud, Decorah, IA; Bernice (Paul) Arneson, Decorah, IA; Lucille (Norman “Jake”) Jacobson, Loveland, CO; and Marie Forde, Alburnett, IA, along with many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Omer was preceded in death by his parents: John and Clara (Slinde) Forde. One sister: Inez (Ted) Gjere. Four brothers: Forrest Forde, Merle Forde, Gordon (Evelyn) Forde and Floyd Forde in infancy. His father and mother-in-law: Theodore & Amanda (Sande) Berge.