Marlene Forster

On Tuesday, December 15th 2020, our dad lost the love of his life, our mom Marlene. A love that started in high school when mom's family moved to their farm between Roberts and Red Lodge. It was there that she met my dad Gordon, a handsome basketball player that caught her eye. After returning from the Army, mom and dad were married in Red Lodge in 1958. Mom raised four kids, and she deeply loved her family and we all knew it. Everyone was made comfortable in mom's house from the time you walked in. Her eyes would light up when she saw you, followed by the biggest warmest hug. She was a fantastic cook, birthday cake maker and loved to can the vegetables that they would grow. Growing up, we had the biggest garden. We were the farmers market before it was popular. Lots of time went into planting, irrigating and maintaining, which turned into a small business. Mom would take orders well ahead of summer for all kinds of vegetables. Our family season ski passes were because of our garden. Mom was raised on a farm by her parents Emil and Emily Kober and siblings Cliff and Loretta. She knew how to fix fences, irrigate, milk cows, and took care of our cows, lambs, pigs, dogs, and cats while dad was at work. She loved to read the newspaper daily and was a fan of Nicholas Sparks. She was an incredible seamstress. Besides making our barbies and dolls clothes, she made Halloween costumes and a multitude of baby quilts that she donated every year. She embroidered squares for quilts that she made for all of her grandchildren for graduation. She has already made a quilt for Stella and Smith's graduation that she was hoping to attend. Mom spent a lot of time researching our family history. She put together a large book for all of us with history from both mom and dad's families dating all the way back to 1736. Mom loved to go on adventures. She and dad would go everywhere. They loved to explore the country, which included lots of camping and hiking. They would take trips with friends to the South, along with the Appalachian Trail and the stories they would tell would be amazing. She liked to go to Arizona with stops along the way to explore the National Parks and trips into Mexico. They met so many people that became lifelong friends. Mostly mom loved Arizona because of baseball. It was her sport and she loved the Cubs. She was also an Oklahoma Thunders fan until her grandson Smith coaxed her to his team the Golden State Warriors. So, mom and dad got Warriors shirts and off they went to watch them play. Mom deeply loved her grandchildren. She and Dad have been an active part of their lives since birth. I've often told my kids that they are who they are today because of the love and support of their Grandma and Papa. Mom wouldn't miss a game. Local or out of town her bags were always packed. She never missed a concert, award ceremony, college check-in, or high school or college graduation. She was thrilled to drive to see Ali's classroom with her first year as a teacher and took pictures so Papa could see them. She felt so incredibly special to be part of Kari's wedding dress fitting for her special day. Mom was always happy, kind and positive. She loved to laugh and was so much fun to be around. She truly loved and lived life. We will always be forever thankful for having you as our Mom, Grandma, and Wife. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Gordon Forster, along with their children Dave (Kathy) Forster, Darla (Bob) Helgeson, Darrell Forster, and Danelle Forster, grandchildren Brittni, Katie, Sydney, Kari, Ali, Stella, Smith, Dave and Ashley, great-grandchildren Cooper, Bodie, Maysin, Brynnley, Lily, and Isabella, and many nieces, nephews, and really great friends. A celebration of Mom's life will be held in the summer when we can all attend.