Ann K. Forster
Ann Forster, Sioux Falls, SD, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and good friend, peacefully passed away with her daughter, good friends, and her pastor by her side on October 10, 2024, at Dow Rummel Village in Sioux Falls.
A celebration of life will be held 11:00 am on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at Peace Lutheran Church, 5509 W. 41st in Sioux Falls, with the family present to greet friends one hour before the 11:00 am service. The service will be live streamed. You may use this link: Ann Forster Funeral Service
Ann Karen Henkes, the daughter of Kermit and Frances (Elmblad) Henkes was born on April 4, 1944, in Carroll, IA. She grew up in Jefferson, IA, and graduated from high school there in 1962. She attended Augustana College where she met the love of her life, Brad Forster. Ann later became an LPN through the Sioux Valley School of Nursing. She worked at Sioux Valley Hospital in Pediatrics and later at Donahoe Clinic in Sioux Falls.
Ann and Brad were united in marriage on June 25, 1965, at Augustana Lutheran Church. They made their home in Sioux Falls and welcomed their daughter, Julie Ann in November of 1971. Ann was a wonderful and involved stay-at-home mother. She enjoyed volunteering in a number of capacities including PTA at Oscar Howe Elementary and delivering Meals on Wheels for many years. She was a long-time member of Peace Lutheran Church and had spent many hours helping in the office counting offerings and serving at the Soup and Pie Fundraisers. Ann was very social and had many long-lasting friendships. After Brad’s sudden death in 1996, Ann was invited to work as a part-time receptionist at AAA Travel. This was a blessing for her as she could share her personality with the members.
Ann’s true passion was traveling. She was blessed to be able to take many life-enriching trips to places like Australia, New Zealand, and even South America. She hiked Longs Peak in Colorado, enjoyed a balloon ride over the aspen trees, and snorkeled in the Great Barrier Reef. She loved immersing herself in new cultures and meeting new friends through Elderhostel trips. She planned many trips for her grandson Connor. A favorite was in Colorado where she arranged for him to ride seven trains in six days. She is greatly missed and was deeply loved. Her family finds peace in knowing she is with her Lord and has reunited with her husband and her infant daughter and son.
Grateful to have shared her life are her daughter, Julie (Lee) Person, rural Hartford; grandson, Connor Person, rural Hartford; rescue dog, Domino; brothers-in-law, William Hertel, Reed (Kathy) Forster; nephews, Jason Hertel, Jacob Forster, Jon (Claire) Forster, James (Katie) Forster; great-nieces, Piper Forster, Britta Forster, Hannah Forster; great-nephews, Otto Forster, Flint Forster, Ethan Forster, Aaron Forster; and numerous other relatives and close friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Brad Forster; newborn daughter, Hope Forster; and newborn son, Christian Forster; parents; and her sister, Chris Hertel.