Donald Keith Forslund

CLOQUET, Minn. - Donald Keith Forslund, 87, of Cloquet, was reunited with the love of his life on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021. His beloved wife of 51 years, Shirley Ann (Lindquist) Forslund, died in 2006.

Don lived a long, happy life and died peacefully at home under the care of compassionate hospice professionals and his family. He is survived by his son, Steven Forslund (Carrie Bristol); a brother, Jack Forslund; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Don was a devoted Papa to his five grandchildren, Christian, Sawyer, Olivia, Cooper and Natalie; and four great-grandchildren, Brantley, Lucca, Persephanie and Finley.

Don was born on May 21, 1934, in Ramsay, Michigan, the second of four children to Margaret (Hanisek) and Andrew Forslund. He graduated from A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer, Michigan, in 1952. He served in the U.S. Army as a crane operator from September 1954 to August 1956. He was stationed in Germany and earned the rank of specialist third class. He was very proud of his service to his country. Don and Shirley were united in marriage on Dec. 5, 1954, while Don was on leave after completing basic training.

Upon Don's discharge from the Army, he and Shirley lived in several states before they made their home in Wisconsin where they raised their children, Steven and Stacy. Don was a machinist most of his life and dabbled in other occupations in his latter years. This included being a Walmart greeter after retirement where his love for people and his charming manner made him very popular with customers.

Don was an avid fisherman who especially enjoyed trout fishing on the Black and Montreal rivers. He was a creative writer and some of his nature pieces appeared in local newspapers. Don enjoyed drawing and wood burning and loved to travel. Most importantly he loved to spend time with his precious family.

Besides his wife, Don was preceded in death by a daughter, Stacy Dawn Forslund; two sisters, Marilyn Kinnunen and Karen Jacobson; his mother and stepfather, Margaret and Toivo Tankka; his father, Andrew Forslund; and many other loved ones and friends.

A graveside service will be held Monday, Sept. 27, at 11 a.m., at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Bessemer, with Andrew Hill presiding.

Full military honors will be accorded by the Bessemer American Legion Post 27 and the Bessemer Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3673 Honor Guard.

Interment will follow.

A celebration of Don's life will take place at the Ramsay Park pavilion.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, Michigan, is assisting the family with their arrangements. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.