Marilyn A Forsmann

Marilyn Ann Forsmann passed away on Sunday, December 7, 2025. She was born May 2, 1947 in Cottonwood, Idaho to Steve and Rose Gehring and was the fifth of seven children. She grew up on the family farm in Greencreek, spending her childhood helping her father with farming and ranching-her preferred tasks-and assisting her mother with running the household and caring for her younger siblings and nieces. She attended elementary school in Greencreek and graduated from St. Gertrude's Academy in Cottonwood, where she met and later married her high school sweetheart, Gary Forsmann.

After high school, Marilyn moved to Lewiston, where she trained and worked as a CNA. On June 11, 1966, Marilyn and Gary were married at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Greencreek and began their married life in Cottonwood, then eventually relocated to Grangeville. She spent her career working with the sick and elderly, which is a calling few have, and she was one of them. She believed in the dignity of everyone, especially those who were suffering. Even after suffering cancer and later, injuries sustained from an auto accident, she dedicated time and attention to serving others through hope, support, and prayer. She was a true angel on earth.

In 1969, they purchased a $100 farmhouse in Keuterville and relocated it to their farm just outside of Grangeville. There, they lovingly and painstakingly restored the once-abandoned home and raised their growing family. Their four children were born over the years: Eric (1967), Mark (1969), Dina (1971), and Gretchen (1980). Marilyn dedicated her life to her children in addition to her work as a CNA, eventually serving as a home healthcare and hospice provider.

She was a loving and strict mother to her four children. Through her actions, both in her work and her personal life, she embodied the qualities of a compassionate, hardworking, and steadfast human being. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, daughter, aunt, and loyal friend to countless people. She had a guardian angel like no other, with a clear purpose on this earth to teach through example. Her children believe she is the strongest person God ever made.

Marilyn was very involved in her parish at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church through countless bible study groups, altar society, women's groups, and parent groups as her children and many grandchildren attended Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School. She loved crafting and bowling, was an excellent card player, and was known throughout the community for her pie-baking skills. The annual school auction, for many years, asked her to donate a 'pie of the month' as a live auction item.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, Gary Forsmann; her siblings Ronald Gehring, Eileen Feider, George Gehring, and Harriet Feider; her parents, Steve and Rose Gehring; and most recently, her beloved granddaughter, Lizz Higgins.

She is survived by her children Eric (Joyce) Forsmann, Mark (Barbara) Forsmann, Dina (Bill) Arnold, and Gretchen (Eric) Sisk; 14 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; siblings Margaret Mickelson and Scott Gehring; and a very large extended family.

A celebration of Marilyn's life will be held on December 20, 2025, at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Grangeville. A Rosary will begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m., and burial to follow at Prairie View Cemetery in Grangeville. A reception will be held afterward at the Sts. Peter & Paul Parish Hall.

Arrangements are under the care of Blackmer Funeral Home. You may send condolences to the family at blackmerfuneralhome.com

The family would like to thank her care providers at Meadowlark Assisted Living and Grangeville Health & Rehabilitation of Cascadia. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Hospice of Grangeville, or to her great grandchildren, Tate and Mackee Higgins, through Cottonwood Credit Union, P.O. Box 507, Cottonwood, Idaho 83522.