Kenneth I. Forslund

BESSEMER, Mich. - Kenneth I. Forslund, 80, a lifelong resident of Bessemer, passed away peacefully Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 8, 2017, surrounded by his loving family.

Ken was born on Oct. 6, 1936, in Ironwood, a son of Elmer and Fannie (Mattson) Forslund. He attended A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer and graduated in 1954.

After graduation, Ken proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957.

After an honorable discharge, he attended and graduated from Gogebic Community College and received his bachelor's degree from Northern Michigan University.

Ken valued his education and worked many jobs in Milwaukee, including sewer construction to complete his degree.

Ken taught social studies and geography at Wakefield High School and was a title teacher at Central Grade School. He retired in 1998 after 30 dedicated years of service.

Ken was a president and strong union supporter of the Michigan Education Association. He was child of God and made his sacraments at Sharon Lutheran Church in Bessemer.

On Sept. 11, 1976, Ken was united in marriage to Christine Sullivan at the Nativity of the Lord Catholic Church in Green Bay, Wis.

Ken was a gentle, kind, loving soul, and he was always willing to help or offer assistance to family and friends. He was an avid reader, and in his free time loved to walk and cross country ski.

Ken absolutely loved spending time with his siblings and their families, and his cherished children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He spent countless hours helping his son, Dan, refurbish the Mattson homestead in Bessemer, where he was raised.

Ken is survived by his beloved wife, Christine; three children, Susan (Robert) Hughes, Lake Orion, Dan (Tina) Sullivan, Bessemer, and Carrie Forslund (Gary Hawkins), Minneapolis; four granddaughters, Chanell Sullivan (Jason), Ironwood, Celeste Sullivan (Will), Winona, Minn., Maggie Hughes, Detroit, and Lindsey Sullivan, Arlington, Va .; two grandsons, Aaron and Connor Hughes, both of Lake Orion; three great-grandchildren, Natalie Gagnon and Emma and Jackson Gusman; a sister, Lorraine (Jack) Johnson, West Bend, Wis .; a brother, Glenn (Sherry) Forslund, Bessemer; two sisters-in-law, Carol Thomas and Elaine (Jim) Pasqualucci; his brother-in-law, Fred (Adele) Gygi; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was predeceased by his parents; a grandson, Daniel Hughes; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Tippy and Angie Gygi.

In accordance with Ken's wishes, cremation will take place.

The family will greet relatives and friends on Saturday, Aug. 12, from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. at Sharon Lutheran Church, 100 E. Sellar St., in Bessemer.

A memorial service will follow the visitation at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Bill Jacobson officiating.

Following the service, military rites will be accorded at the church under the auspices of Bessemer American Legion Post 27 and Bessemer Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3673 Honor Guard.

A luncheon will follow the military salute at the church fellowship hall.

A committal service and inurnment will take place Monday, Aug. 14, at 10 a.m., at Hillcrest Cemetery, Bessemer.

Memorial contributions may be made in Ken's name to Bessemer Public Library, 411 S. Sophie St., Bessemer, MI 49911, or to Lewy Body Dementia/Alzheimer's Association, Greater Michigan Chapter, 25200 Telegraph Road, Suite 100, Southfield, MI 48033.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hurley, Wis., who provided comfort and loving care to Ken while he was a resident. Special acknowledgements are given to Veterans Administration/Aspirus Ironwood Hospital caregivers, Dr. Christopher Pogliano, Dr. James Rocco, Regional Hospice and Jerald Rocco, who provided care and assistance.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.