Ronald Duane Forde, 80

Ronald Forde

Ronald Duane Forde passed away peacefully in his home near Toledo, IA, on Friday, November 18, 2022. Per his wishes, he will be cremated and there will be no local public services.

He was born July 7, 1942, on the family farm west of Northwood, IA. Ron was the youngest of 6 children (3 boys, 3 girls) of Selmar and Rose (Bergo) Forde.

He attended school in Northwood, IA.

After high school Ron began work in construction at Hobe Engineering then went to work for his brother at Elk Horn Construction in Elk Horn, IA, where the family lived for several years. In the à80ás, his brother formed Forde Construction in Houston, TX, where Ron was a crane operator and superintendent. Ron was a highly talented crane operator, extending those skills to his sons and others that were eager to learn. He continued traveling and working in construction until he retired and moved to Toledo, IA.

Ron could tell all kinds of construction stories and remembered specific details and dates that nobody else could recall.

He loved his family, his dogs and spending time outdoors.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Selmer and Rose (Bergo) Forde; son, Jeffery Forde; daughter Tanya Granderson; siblings, Doris (Forde) Asbjornson, Beverly (Forde) Nelson and Jerry Forde.

Ron is survived by his wife Liz Forde, of Tama, IA; children: Mark (Rhonda) Forde, of Houston, TX, Pete (Maria) Forde, of Denton, TX and Christy (David) Robertson, of Willis, TX and their mother, of Katy, TX, as well as his sister, Shirley Peterson, of York, NE, his brother, Stan (Judy) Forde, of College Station, TX and several grandchildren, nieces, nephews and extended family.

His final resting place will be at Scott’s Grove, a family cemetery, in Hempstead, TX.

Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home of Tama-Toledo is assisting the family with arrangements.

Ronald Duane Forde passed away peacefully in his home near Toledo, IA, on Friday, November 18, 2022. Per his wishes, he will be cremated, and there will be no local public services.

He was born July 7, 1942, on the family farm west of Northwood, IA. Ron was the youngest of 6 children (three boys, three girls) of Selmar and Rose (Bergo) Forde.

He attended school in Northwood, IA.

After high school, Ron began work in construction at Hobe Engineering, then went to work for his brother at Elk Horn Construction in Elk Horn, IA, where the family lived for several years. In the à80ás, his brother formed Forde Construction in Houston, TX, where Ron was a crane operator and superintendent. Ron was a highly talented crane operator, extending those skills to his sons and others that were eager to learn. He continued traveling and working in construction until he retired and moved to Toledo, IA.

Ron could tell all kinds of construction stories and remember specific details and dates that nobody else could recall.

He loved his family, his dogs, and spending time outdoors.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Selmer and Rose (Bergo) Forde; son, Jeffery Forde; daughter Tanya Granderson; siblings, Doris (Forde) Asbjornson, Beverly (Forde) Nelson, and Jerry Forde.

Ron is survived by his wife, Liz Forde, of Tama, IA; children: Mark (Rhonda) Forde, of Houston, TX; Pete (Maria) Forde, of Denton, TX and Christy (David) Robertson, of Willis, TX and their mother, of Katy, TX, as well as his sister, Shirley Peterson, of York, NE, his brother, Stan (Judy) Forde, of College Station, TX and several grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and extended family.

His final resting place will be at Scott’s Grove, a family cemetery, in Hempstead, TX.

Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home of Tama-Toledo is assisting the family with arrangements.