Margie Winifred (Anderson) Forseth

Margie passed away May 2, 2021 at the age of 96. The family would like to thank the nursing and caretaking staff at Trillium and Woodsong for their cheerful care and diligence for both Margie and her husband, Bill, who passed in November, 2020.

Margie Winifred Forseth was born in Holt, Minnesota on November 3, 1924 to Peter and Bernice (Hobbs) Anderson. The family moved to Crookston, Minnesota where Peter worked for Land-O-Lakes and Bernice “Bunny” worked in the bank; their home situated directly on the Red River gave the family many stories of floods and ice chunks.  Margie had three sisters and one brother.  Margie was active in the drum and bugle corp. and graduated from Crookston High School in 1942.

Margie attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN during WW II where Margie was blessed in making lifelong friendships. After graduating in business, Margie began teaching at Detroit Lakes High School. It was there, literally in the halls of the high school that she met a young soldier, William “Bill” Forseth. They were married on Dec. 27, 1947 and remained together for 73 years.

The couple moved to Stephen, and later to Wadena, Minnesota where Bill was high school principal. They had two children while in Wadena and established many lifelong friendships there. Margie helped Bill type his PHD thesis which eventually meant a new job at BSU and a move to Bemidji. Another child was born and a move to the thriving Lake Blvd. and Dewey Avenue neighborhood.  In 1969, they moved to the “oriental” house on Birchmont Drive where they enjoyed the view and neighbors for 44 years.

Margie was active in the First Lutheran Church, Faculty Wives, PEO (past president), and helped on boards of the Paul Bunyan Theatre and The Lutheran Campus Ministry.  Margie taught bridge for years and helped students get their GEDs.  Occasionally, she worked as a Bailiff for Beltrami County.  Margie was part of many birthday and tennis groups – in short, a “people person.”  Margie and Bill were hockey parents (son Tom) and grandparents (grandsons John and Michael Forseth) and enjoyed BSU sports.

Margie is survived by her sister, Judy (Rich) Hicks of Eugene, Oregon; sister-in-law, Eleanor (Deed) Forseth (previously of Mayville, ND), & brother-in-law, Dale Folger (previously of Thief River, MN).  Her daughter, Catherine (Jeff) Forbes; son, Thomas (Terri) Forseth; grandsons: William (Meagan) Forbes, Peter Forbes, John (Lindsey) Forseth, & Michael Forseth. Great-grandsons: Joseph William Forbes & Brooks Thomas Forseth. There are 20 nieces and nephews and their families from California, Oregon, Texas, Colorado, and Minnesota.

Margie was preceded in death by her husband Bill Forseth; son, William “Billy” Charles Forseth; two sisters: Shirley (Jack) Granger and Ione (Don) Dekrey; brother, Peter (Susie) Anderson; brother-in-law, Deed Forseth, sister- in -law, Shirley (Don) Lynch; & sister-in-law, Arleen Folger.

Memorials can be made to Lutheran Campus Ministry and Sanford Hospice.

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