Anthony Forster

Anthony I. Forster beloved father, businessman and hunter extraordinaire passed away peacefully at his home on August 7, 2013 at the age of 80. Anthony (Tony) was born to Anton and Florence Forster in Spruce Hill Township, Minnesota on August 20, 1932, the oldest of 11 children. Tony attended school in Spruce Hill and later Morris Agricultural College. In 1949 Tony enlisted in the Armed Air Force and proudly served four years as an MP in the Korean War stationed in Okinawa. After the service, Tony moved to Montana where he met the love of his life Annabelle Mattie Duncan. Tony and Annie married on August 4th, 1955 and had 5 children. Several years later they moved back to Minnesota and bought the family farm at Spruce Hill. To supplement their income Tony went to work for Local Gas and thus began his career in the propane business. Through the years Tony managed Local Gas and Lakes Gas in Minnesota, owned Milltown Skel Gas in Wisconsin and H & R Propane in Nevada. During his years in the propane business, Tony was very active in the LP Gas Association, serving as president and on numerous boards working on legislation to promote and secure the propane industry. He received many awards, among them being the Nevada Propane Dealers Association Award in 2003 for Outstanding Lifetime contributions to the propane industry. In 1993 Tony was preceded in death by his wife Annie and was blessed to marry Judith Doyle on February 12, 1999. They have spent their time together living part time in their homes in Nevada, Wisconsin, and Mexico. They enjoyed playing cards, entertaining family and friends and traveling the world. Tony was a true believer in God, family and community. Tony loved to spend time with all his kids, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings and friends. He was actively involved in the VFW, Legion, Elks, 40et8 Club and Milltown Community Club. Tony supported his church, sponsored ball teams, bought 4H calves and Girl Scout cookies and donated to community activities. Tony was a champion of the underdog helping finance projects and people in need and rarely, if ever, talking about it. Tony was an avid sportsman, hunting big game all over the world, from the Arctic Circle to the plains of Africa. Tony supported the Rocky Mountain ELK Foundation and The Sierra Club with the hope that the hunting grounds be preserved for generations to come. He often took companions with him as he traveled sharing the adventures with them. Tony loved to tell the stories and if you were willing to listen he was willing to share. He never turned down a good game of cribbage, a good cigar, a good scotch (a brandy would do too) or good discussion. The quote, ?The Mountains are Calling and I Must Go? by John Muir says it perfectly. Tony is survived by his wife Judy, children, Pete (Colleen) Forster, Paul (Therese) Forster, Anthony "Mike" Forster, Cassandra (Tom) Moore, Mark (Cathy) Forster, 19 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and puppy Missy, six brothers and sisters, nieces, nephews and other loving family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Annie, four siblings, and two children. Honorary Pallbearers will be Ross Sanborn, Gary Jensen, Joshua Forster, Duke Forster, Justin Forster, Ryan Moore, Seth Moore. Visitation for Tony will be held Sunday, August 11, 2013 from 4-6 P.M. at Kolstad Family Funeral Home, Centuria, WI. A Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, August 17, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. at Belle River Catholic Church in Belle River, Minnesota. The family will greet visitors at the church one prior to the service. Tony will be laid to rest following the service at the Belle River Catholic Church Cemetery. The family then wishes to invite their guests to join them for lunch and fellowship in the church basement. In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to: Tony Forster Memorial Fund, c/o Frandsen Bank, Luck, WI 54853. The old grizzly bear will be sorely missed by those of us that knew he was a teddy bear at heart. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria www.andersonfuneral.net