Obituary of Harry Forkert

Harry Forkert, 86, of Hodgeville, SK, was called to his heavenly home on January 16, 2015. Harry was born on August 24, 1928, in New York City. He and his parents, Richard and Lydia Forkert, moved to the Kelstern district in the winter of 1929, to take over the farm after his uncle passed away. His sister Eleanor was born in 1932. Harry often talked of the poor and tough times in the dirty thirties, the poverty and drought. He grew up in a sod house until sometime in the early 1940’s, when they could finally afford a wooden house. Harry went to school in the country, in the old one room school house. He started farming on the family homestead in the 1940’s. Harry married Jean Ortt of Grenfell, SK on July 16, 1965 at the Peace Lutheran Church in Grenfell. They had two sons, Curtis and Howard. Harry continued to actively work on the farm until around 7 years ago when his health began to decline. Harry had many interests and was involved in many things. He was an active community member and a member of the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool for many years. He was also involved in trying to save the rail line which went past the family farm, which failed. Harry was involved in sports, playing baseball and hockey when he was younger, and then in later years he coached the Kelstern Senior Team for one year. He also coached minor ball for several years in Shamrock. Harry built many of the buildings on the farm and also helped build the curling rink and town hall in Kelstern. Harry was an ardent sports fan. Some of his favorite teams were the Swift Current Broncos, Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Yankees. Harry had lots of hobbies, including collecting sports memorabilia, he played guitar in his younger days and he liked going fishing with his brother-in-law Bob Schutz. He loved attending farm auction sales and visiting with friends at them. Harry lived on the family farm for the majority of his life. A new house was built in 1972, and this is where he resided until his declining health forced him to move to long term care at Herbert in August 2013. In August 2014 Harry moved to the Palliser in Swift Current where he resided until his passing. Harry loved his family, his community and his friends. He loved the land and he loved to laugh. He was a fine and caring man, husband and father. The last time Harry’s son Curtis saw him last week, he told him that he would like to say goodbye to all his neighbors and friends, and hope that we will meet on the other side. Harry is survived by his loving wife of 49 years Jean Forkert (nee Ortt); son Howard Forkert; son Curtis Forkert; sister Eleanor Schutz; brother-in-law Arnold (Carolyn) Ortt. Predeceased by his parents Richard and Lydia (nee Eckstein) Forkert; brothers-in-law Bob Schutz, Ed (Kathleen) Ortt, Norman (Freida) Ortt; sister-in-law Alvena (Henry) Busch. Funeral Service was held on Wednesday, January 21, 2015, at 2:00 p.m., at Piche-Hawkins-Grondin Funeral Chapel, Gravelbourg, SK, with Pastor Larry Glaeske officiant. The eulogy was written by Curtis Forkert. Music by Ruby Ohlmann. Pallbearers were Larry Kennedy, Helmut Ohlmann, Steve Bochek and Bob Ebel. Interment took place at the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Kelstern, SK. Memorial donations in memory of Harry to the Diabetes Association of Saskatchewan, 917 Albert Street, Regina, SK S4R 2P6, were greatly appreciated.