Stanley Roger Forde

Stanley Roger Forde was born on October 10, 1935 in Emmons, MN to a Norwegian farming family. He passed away on December 15, 2025 in College Station, Texas. Stanley's parents Selmer J. Forde and Rosie Bergo Forde and their two daughters, Doris and Beverly were thrilled to welcome their first baby boy into the family. In later years, he would be joined by a brother Jerry, sister Shirley and one last brother Ronald.

The family lived a simple but hard-working life farming in the Emmons and Northwood, Iowa area. His work ethic, honesty, and relationship with God and praying began during these early years. It was the beginning of dreams of having a farm and a family of his own- dreams that would ultimately be fulfilled beyond what he could have imagined

Stan often shared stories of the people and events that shaped him. One of those stories was of being just 10 years old, working for a neighboring farmer for $50 a month. Alone and scared in dark fields plowing or milking a line of cows he prayed to see that farmer stumble in so that he wouldn't be alone. He laughed that they ate eggs for all three meals a day – something he somehow managed to still enjoy later in life.

Stanley was very athletic and loved competition. He was fast and frequently entered races at the county fair, winning nearly everyone he ran.

Faith was central to Stan's life. As children, he and his siblings recited nightly prayers, including The Lord's Prayer, "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep" and "Four Corners to My Bed". He continued the nightly prayer ritual throughout his life.

At 15 years old, Stan left high school to begin working toward his dreams. He started a career in bridge and road construction, working in many places across the United States. He later delighted in telling his children stories of these travels-including one unforgettable tale of "living with the Indians" in New Mexico, where he claimed to have shot an arrow across the water, through a fish and then a bear – with one shot. Of course, his children believed every word.

In 1955, Stanley married Cynthia Vold also from Northwood, Iowa. Together they built a life that followed Stan's work from place to place. By age 20, he was already a foreman, later becoming a superintendent. They welcomed five children: Roxanne, Julie, Scott, Jon and Paul.

In 1964, the family moved to Elk Horn, Iowa. They fell in love with the welcoming community and realized they had found the place where they wanted to settle. There Stan fulfilled lifelong prayers: raising a family and owning a 110-acre farm. He moved his parents into a home on the acreage where they helped him farm. He would work all week as a Road and Bridge Superintendent and then come home to farm alongside his family. Even with the amount of hours and work that he did, he always had time to listen to his children's stories and share his. He and his parents kept a game of cards going on their little kitchen table so that he could stop on his way to work (even if it was 4-5am) to just be able to spend time with them.

Stan later worked for Hobe Engineering in Sioux City before being offered the opportunity to start his own company, Elk Horn Construction Through the years he employed many local people and family members. Parents and young men often reached out years later to thank him for helping them pay for college and for teaching them the values of hard work, honesty, and integrity. Stan considered his employees family and took pride in helping others whenever he could.

In 1980, Stan moved the family to Houston, Texas, where he later opened Forde Construction with his son Scott and son-in-law James Diaz. Built on the same principles that guided Stan's life, the company remains a respected road and bridge construction firm throughout Texas. The family suffered the loss of Scott in 1998 and Jim in 2014, the company continues today under the leadership of his son Paul, carrying on Stan's legacy.

In 1997, the family purchased a 435-acre ranch west of Houston near Hempstead- another childhood dream fulfilled. Stan wanted to be a "cowboy" and have horses, and the ranch became a place filled with family gatherings, grandchildren, fishing, four-wheelers, kickball games, and countless celebrations. It was a place where memories were made and family bonds were strengthened.

In 2009, Stan moved to College Station, Texas where he continued commuting nearly daily to Houston for work well into his later years. Even as he aged, he never lost his sharp mind or his ability to make others laugh. The family joyfully celebrated with 90th birthday with a surprise party, honoring a fully lived life.

In 2021, Stan married Judy Nelson Holtan who shared his roots in northern Iowa. Together they enjoyed Aggies Football and spending cherished time with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Judy was a devoted partner during Stan's battle with cancer, and his family firmly believes he would not have lived as long as he did without her love and care.

The overwhelming comments we hear from people about Stan is that he was a gentle, loving and kind man. He was a wonderful father and provider. He cared deeply for his family and showed it in every interaction that he had. Each one of us felt that love and knew that we were "the most special" in his eyes. Stan carried that same love and compassion to his extended family, to his siblings, to his many nieces and nephews, to his friends and his employees. He cared deeply and would do anything that he could to help in any way that he could.

We have lost an incredible man whose guidance, faith, and example will continue to shape our lives forever.

"Well done, good and faithful servant." A life well lived.

Parents: Rosie Bergo and Selmer J. Forde

Siblings: Doris (Eldy) Asbjornson

Beverly (Kenny) Nelson

Jerry Forde

Shirley (Art) Peterson

Ronald Forde

Children: Roxanne Forde Sisman

Julie Forde Diaz

Scott Forde

Jon Forde

Paul (Cheryl) Forde

Grandchildren & Great Grandchildren

Brett (Jennifer) Ward Hudson & Holden

Rachel (Ryan) Miller Blaire & Becks

Austin Sisman

Corrie (Alan) Thetford Abigayle, Ellanore, Caleb & James

Samantha(Adam) Foulkrod Noah & Theodore

Lauren (Tyler) Goff Charlotte

Kiira & Hayden Sisman

Steven Forde

Eric (Emily) Diaz Delilah

Zoe (Jack) Forde-Viles

Fyn Forde

Stepdaughter & Family: Haven (Eric) Siebels Emma & Cash

Preceded in Death: Scott Forde (son), James Diaz (son-in-law), Jerry Forde (brother),

Dorris Asbjornson(sister), Beverly Nelson(sister), Ronald Forde(brother), Selmer and

Rosie Forde (mother & father), Rose and Ervin Vold (mother & father-in-law), Kenny

Nelson, Eldy Asbjornson, Art Peterson, Robert ML Baker Jr. (brothers-in-law), Merrilee Reid (sister-in-law)

Visitation with the family 9 AM-10 AM
10 AM service
12:30 PM burial at the Forde family cemetery in Hempstead, Texas

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Scott's Grove Cemetery.