Shirley Forthun

Shirley was born December 1, 1928, in Detroit Lakes, MN, to John and Hilma (Johnson) Ottoson. Shirley was raised on the family farm near Little Pelican Lake. She attended country schools in the area and graduated from Detroit Lakes High School in 1946.

She continued her education at Moorhead (MN) State Teachers College where she received a two year teaching certificate. Shirley was united in marriage to Melvin Lorren Forthun on July 15, 1950, in Detroit Lakes. She taught elementary school in Evansville, MN, Akron, OH, and later in Gadsden, AL. They returned to Moorhead in 1958.

They made their home on Big Pelican Lake for twenty-five years where they were actively involved at Calvary Evangelical Free Church. Lorren died on April 19, 2003, and Shirley returned to make her home in Moorhead following his death.

Shirley died Tuesday, June 17, 2014, in the presence of her family, at Sanford Health in Fargo, ND, at eighty-five years of age.

She is survived by her children, Deborah (Randy) Torpen, Minnetonka, MN, Steven (Donna) Forthun, Scranton, ND, Kathy (Heldur) Hakk, Moorhead, and Michael (Lisa) Forthun, West Fargo, ND; fifteen grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a brother, Howard (Margaret) Ottoson, Lincoln, NE.

In addition to her husband and parents, Shirley was preceded in death by two brothers, Dennis and Kenneth Ottoson; and a sister, Fern Gotta.

Visitation for Shirley will be Thursday, June 19, 2014, from 5 - 7 PM, with a prayer service at 6:30 PM, in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead.

Her funeral will be Friday, June 20, 2014, at 11 AM, at Metropolitan Baptist Church, Fargo.

Burial will take place in Riverside Cemetery, Moorhead.