Duane Forde

DUANE FORDE...

***HE LOVED, HE SMILED, HE JOKED, AND YOU KNEW YOU WERE HIS FRIEND.***
(A quote from Bruce Christensen via FACEBOOK to Judy Sorensen……a long time family friend.)

Duane Marvin Forde was the second son born to Lucille Levora (Bitner) and Sigurd Ragnvold Karl Forde on October 3, 1935 in the township of Johnsonville located near Delhi, Minnesota. He was one of six children born to this union. Three boys; Arden, Duane and David and three girls; Betty, Sharon, and Sonja.

When Duane was 13 years old, his family moved to a farm between Pipestone and Jasper, Minnesota. He attended Jasper High School where he enjoyed and excelled in basketball and math. At a very young age, he learned to drive tractor and helped on the family farm with chores and planting and harvesting crops.

While still in his teens he began working for Clifford and Lawrence Christensen on their family farm. On November 7, 1954, he and Darlene Lavonne Peterson m arried. Just last November, they celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary with family and friends. Their union brought four children into this world. Judy, Rick, Pam, and Terry. Each of their children married and produced nine grandchildren: Dustin, Alec, Elysia, Travis, Robert, Alexis, Brooklynn, Tanner, and Megan. Four great grandchildren: Adin, Abbie, Anders and Averie. Duane was very proud of his family and worked diligently to provide for them to have a full life as well as a Christian education which was very important to him.

Duane’s work history includes twenty-six years employment from 1953 to 1979 with Moberg Oil Company, Marshall, Minnesota. Duane ventured on his own in 1979 and purchased Sorenson Oil Company located in Holland, Minnesota. His oldest son Rick, joined him as a partner in operating the Bulk Oil Business as well as Forde Transport and over-the-road trucking which was added to the business in 1991 and then changed the oil business name to the Forde family name. A gas station was purchased in Holland and provided the convenience of a family operated service station to the Holland, Minnesota population and surrounding area. In 1989, the family expanded their business to Pipestone, Minnesota opening a gas station on the east side of town across from Hank’s grocery store on Highway 30. As Duane approached retirement age, he sold the Oil Business and the gas stations in 1992. He and Rick continued to operate Forde Transport until 1999. Duane then officially retired in the year 2000 and then returned to work part time and seasonally on the Christensen Family farm working with Steve, Seth, and Kenny Christensen. These years from 2000 to the present were most enjoyable to him and he not only enjoyed the hard work but the friendship of these men and their families.

Duane enjoyed his family and considered the time spent with them as priceless. Whether it was working on projects, putting a puzzle together, playing table games, or traveling, such as the recent epic trip to his father’s home country of Norway. He always enjoyed learning new things and kept up with the latest technology becoming savy with his iPad. He was an active member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church of Pipestone, Minnesota nearly all of his married years serving in different capacities of leadership such as Treasurer and Head Elder for all of what would be 61 years this November. He was a very dedicated and faithful servant of God and enjoyed helping young people to achieve an Adventist Education by his sponsorship.

Duane enjoyed people, being with them, hearing their stories and being of any assistance that he could be in the needs that they had. He struck up a conversation easily with strangers and always took an interest in his family and friends. His quiet, steady, loving presence will be missed on this earth but it is a comfort to know the hope of heaven where “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

Duane is lovingly remembered by his wife of 61 years, Darlene; Four Children: Judy Sorensen (Tim) of Lincoln, Nebraska; Rick Forde (Judy) of Pipestone, Minnesota; Pam Asher (Randy) of Denver, Colorado; and Terry Forde (Marijane) of Silver Spring, Maryland. Nine grandchildren: Dustin Dodds, Alec Sorensen, Elysia Ockenga (Nathan), Travis Forde (Heather), Robert Forde; Alexis Asher; Brooklynn, Tanner, and Megan Forde. Four great grandchildren: Adin, Abbie, and Anders Ockenga, and Averie Dodds. Two Sisters: Sharon Meyer of Marshall, Minnesota and Sonja Shuck (Sam) of Wood River, Nebraska; and a brother, David Forde of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. Duane was preceded in death by his parents; Lucille and Sigurd and his brother Arden and sister Betty.