Maleta Ann Forsberg

1931 - 2025

Maleta Ann Forsberg

November 24, 1931 - August 12, 2025

Lindsborg, Kansas - Maleta Ann Forsberg was born in Iola, Kansas, on November 24, 1931, to Bill and Bess Lockart. She passed away on August 12, 2025, at Bethany Home, Lindsborg, Kansas.

Maleta grew up and went to school in Colony, Kansas. She met her beloved husband, Wayne Forsberg, at Colony High School. Maleta and Wayne were wed in Kansas City, Missouri. This union blessed them with three daughters, Jeannie, Lori and Lesly.

Maleta was a professional artist. She shared her talents with all who knew her. She was mainly self-taught and took classes at the Kansas City Art Institute and workshops with other artists throughout her life. Maleta said, "Being an artist is an ongoing learning process. There is always something new to try." She gave art lessons and helped many artists with their technique over the years. Maleta's artwork is enjoyed and featured in many homes and collections in the USA and overseas.

Maleta was generous in leadership roles in community groups and art associations. She and her husband Wayne restored the Olive Springs Schoolhouse on their property and used it as a gallery for Maleta's art. They also renovated the Palace Theater in Lindsborg and turned it into The Courtyard, a Lindsborg landmark.

Maleta was involved with the art collections of her churches. She designed the stained glass windows for Dellrose United Methodist Church, Wichita, Kansas, and helped with a major memorial installation of stained glass in Lindsborg's Trinity United Methodist Church. She was proud to design and paint "The Methodist Mare" as part of Lindsborg's "Wild Dala" project to honor John and Charles Wesley.

Along with Maleta's passion for art and service to her church and community, she was dedicated to her family. Being an only child, she was delighted when her marriage to Wayne brought her four sisters-in-law. She enjoyed supporting her husband in his career and relished her role as mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Nothing made her happier than spending time with her family and many friends.

Maleta was preceded in death by her husband; daughter Jeannie Forsberg Moncrief, and parents.

Survivors include her daughters, Lori Swift and Lesly Forsberg; son-in-law Mark Swift; grandchildren and their spouses, Arian Taherzadeh, Matthew (Christin) Swift, Kelsey Moncrief, Thomas (Sondra) Swift, Nicholas Moncrief, Andrew (Azin) Taherzadeh, Robert (Monica) Swift, and great-grandchildren Elle, Charlotte, Matthew, Harrison, Grace, Aqua, River, Avina and Archie.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Maleta on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 224 S Main, Lindsborg, KS 67456.

Memorial funds have been established with the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery, 401 N. First Street, Lindsborg, KS 67456 and Trinity United Methodist Church, 224 S Main St, Lindsborg, KS 67456.