William "Bill" F. Forsline

William "Bill" F. Forsline, 80, Chisholm, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, March 18, 2015, with his loving family at his side.
Bill was born on May 8, 1934 in Cook, the son of Hans and Mabel (Erickson) Forsline. He grew up in Cook, where he graduated from high school in 1952. After working at the Enterprise Mine in Virginia for a year, he enlisted in the US Army and proudly served his country during the Cold War in Germany from 1954-1956 as a radio operator. After his honorable discharge, he worked at Barter Island in Alaska on the D.E.W. (Distant Early Warning) Line. He furthered his education and graduated from University of Minnesota in 1961, earning a teaching degree. On September 3, 1961 he married Carol Leander at the First Baptist Church in Cook. The couple settled in Chisholm and was blessed with five children. Bill taught 5th grade in the Chisholm Public Schools for the next 32 years, retiring in 1993. He loved teaching and very much enjoyed his colleagues and the many students he met throughout the years.

Bill was active in the Baptist Church in Chisholm, including adult Sunday school teacher, serving as Deacon and in its Senior Citizen's Silver Threads. He was a dedicated member of Gideon's Society, distributing bibles to schools, hotels, and hospitals on the Iron Range. He belonged to the Chisholm Beautification Association, and was an active member of American Legion Post #247 in Chisholm for many years, including serving as Chaplain. He was a proud fan of the Chisholm sports teams and also a lifelong fan of the Minnesota sports teams. He was an avid outdoorsman enjoying hunting, fishing, camping, snowmobiling and mowing lawns. Bill looked forward to coffee with fellow teachers and friends at Valentini's and had a deep and patriotic love for his country and those in military service. His most favorite times were riding 4-wheelers with his brothers, visiting relatives, spending special time with grandkids and traveling with his wife Carol. He took a proud interest in his grandkids lives and activities including their sports. Bill instilled honesty, a proud work ethic and an unwavering Christian faith in his children. He will be greatly missed by family, friends and the many that have come to know him.

He is preceded in death by his father Hans (1966), mother Mabel (1990); 3 brothers: Richard "Bud" (2012), Gilbert (2008) and Rev. Wesley Forsline (2006); Great Grandchild: Dasia Lindsey (2002).

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 54 years Carol; 1 daughter: Kalli (Brian) Davis of Minnetonka, MN; 4 sons- Kirk (Patty) Forsline of Cook, Kent (Kim) Forsline of Chisholm, Kyle (Sharyl) Forsline of Arlington Heights, IL, and Kris (Amie) Forsline of Eagan, MN; 2 brothers: Dan (Kathy) Forsline of Cook, Phil (Jan) Forsline of Portland, OR; 4 sisters: Marie (John 2001) Olson of Cook, Doris (Art 1988) Bakk of McFarland, WI, Liz (Jerry) Maas of Northfield, MN and Sharon (Dale) Severson of North Oaks, MN; sisters-in-law: Lois Forsline , and Gwen Forsline both of Bloomington, MN; Grandchildren: Joel, Ryan, Erik and Kyle Davis, Rachel Lutz, Daniele Quinn, Tori Johnson, Brock and Chelsea Perkins, Trent and Ellie Forsline, Emma, Greta and Elise Forsline, Eva and Zachary Forsline; Great Grandchildren: Darrian O'Bryant, Deven Lindsay, and Brielle Perkins; 3 brothers-in-law: Maurice( Betty Lou) Leander of Boulder, CO, Wallace-2002 (Peggy) Leander of New Ulm, MN, and Byron (Ginny) Leander of Cook, MN; 2 sisters-in-law: Bette (Earl) Grano of Cook, MN and Rose (Larry) Schwensen of Central City, NE.

SERVICES: All services will be held at Chisholm Baptist Church in Chisholm. Funeral service will be 2:00 pm Friday, (March 27th) with a visitation one hour prior, and visitation on Thursday (March 26th) at 5:30 – 8:00 pm. Pastor Dan Erickson will be the officiant. Casket bearers: Joel Davis, Ryan Davis, Erik Davis, Kyle Davis, Chelsea Perkins, Emma Forsline, Greta Forsline and Trent Forsline. Honorary casket bearers: Brock Perkins, Rachel Lutz, Daniele Quinn, Tori Johnson, Darrian O'Bryant and Deven Lindsay.
Military honors will be accorded by the American Legion Post #247. A reception in Bill's honor will immediately follow the service. Burial will be held at the Hillside Cemetery in Angora at a later date.