Forrest Dean Urbatsch
December 27, 1928 - July 23, 2021
Visitation
- Date: August 3, 2021
- Time: 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- Location: Schroeder Funeral Homes - Northwood, Iowa
Memorial Service
- Date: August 4, 2021
- Time: 2:00 p.m.
- Location: Schroeder Funeral Homes - Northwood, Iowa
Forrest Dean Urbatsch died Friday, July 23, 2021 at the Good Samaritan Center in St. Ansgar, Iowa. Forrest was born December, 27, 1928, the youngest of three sons, to Fred and Beulah (Siple) Urbatsch. He grew up on the family farm with his older brothers, Harley and Bob. After graduating from Plymouth High School in 1947, he attended Iowa State University for a short time with aspirations to become a dentist. Those plans changed when he needed to return home to help his father on the farm. The Urbatsch family hunt on the day of 'pheasant opener' was an annual tradition. He proudly served his country in the US Army, seeing combat action as a platoon leader during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged and became a lifetime member of the Grafton American Legion. On September 12, 1953, he married Dorothy White at the EUB Church in Bolan. They were blessed with three sons - Mike, Mark and Gregg. As a newlywed, he farmed and worked part- time at the Mason City sugar beet plant. He and Dorothy established their home on a farm SW of Grafton. They were busy young parents with no indoor bathroom, only water to a kitchen sink for 'baby bathing'. In 1958 they bought a farm and moved one mile south to the home they would spend most of their lives enjoying. He and Dorothy loved decorating with antiques and travelled in search of new items to add to their collection. His carpentry skills were an asset as he worked on frequent remodeling projects for Dorothy. He loved making her happy. For many years he owned a cabin in Longville, MN with his two brothers. Friends and family enjoyed fishing trips there. When the cabin was sold, Forrie and Dorothy built a swimming pool at their farm. Summertime at Grandpa and Grandma's was amazing. Forrie had a huge strawberry patch and his grilled chicken was always memorable. Forrie enjoyed rural living. He was a Funk's G seed salesman for many years and sponsored a softball team. He was a Union Township trustee and on the 4-H Committee. He taught Gregg how to trap, and he and his son, Mark farmed together. Building birdhouses with salvaged barn wood became a passion. When he moved to town, he kept up with his farming friends over morning coffee at the Grafton CO-OP fertilizer plant. He enjoyed being a member of their small congregation at the church in Bolan. Forrie loved life and it showed. He always had a ready smile and a hearty laugh. Halloween would often find him dressed up in a crazy costume. He loved to cheer for his beloved MN Vikings, but was most proud while supporting his sons and grandchildren at their sporting events. Reading was a favorite pastime, he was frequently seen with a book in his hand. Family loved his specialty cookies and his famous, buttery popcorn. His favorite memories to the end were of family and farming. Forrest is preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; parents, Fred and Beulah Urbatsch; brothers, Harley Urbatsch and his wife Pearl, and Robert Urbatsch; father and mother-in-law Vern and Ellie White; sister-in-law Marge Arzberger and her husband, Reuben; brother-in-law LaVern White and his wife Suzie. He is survived by his: sons, Mike (Sue) Urbatsch, Mark Urbatsch and Gregg (Mary Jo) Urbatsch; daughter-in-law, Shawn Urbatsch; grandchildren, Jake (Anneke) Urbatsch, Luke (Rachel) Urbatsch, Elizabeth (Michael) Schaub, Lindsay Urbatsch, Matt (Chloe Cheney) Urbatsch, Gracie and Sophia Urbatsch; great-grandchildren, Ivy, Olivia and Emmet Urbatsch, McKenna and Jayla Brown, Riley and Emersyn Schaub, and baby Urbatsch due in October (Luke and Rachel); sister-in-law, Fern Urbatsch Sister-in-law, Gloria (Lavern "Rube") Robeoltman; brothers-in-law, Art (JoAnn) White and Jay (Jeanie) White; special nephew and caretaker, Bruce White; as well as many other extended family members and friends. Our thanks to Pastor Cory Allard of Trinity United Methodist Church in Bolan Vocal selections by Mary Jo Urbatsch. Please join the family for a time of fellowship following the service. Blessed be Forrest's memory A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, Northwood with Pastor Cory Allard Officiating. A visitation will be Tuesday evening from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
