Obituary of Barbara Forbort

Barbara Forbort, age 86, passed away peacefully on January 10, 2024. Barb was born on January 25, 1937 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to Isabelle and Clark Milligan, moved to Duluth at a young age, and lived there the rest of her life.

In addition to her parents, Barb was preceded in death by her husband Richard.

She is survived by her children Gary (Natalie), Scott (Sonja Helland), Keith (Mary), and Brenda (Jeff) Cerkvenik, as well as grandchildren Derek, Nick, Jack, Mark, Laura, and Eric, and many nieces and nephews.

Barb was a true warrior over the past 5 years, bravely fighting through pain and health issues to continue to spend quality time with her family and friends. Barb loved family, especially her grandkids. Her greatest joy was being everyone’s fan at thousands of sporting events. Outside of family, she treasured “Club ‘55” (Esther, Gerry, Jeanette, the Judys, Kay, Marlene, Peggy, Phyllis, and Sharon) formed with her lifelong friends and continued for the past 68 years. She enjoyed crafts such as sewing and (later in life) painting, making her famous pancakes for the grandkids, camping, fishing, travel and was always up for a new adventure.

In addition to being a homemaker, Barb was secretary at Lester Park and Lakeside elementary schools, and the vo-tech. In retirement, she ran a grocery tape advertising business, and enjoyed her time living at Real Life and Keystone Bluffs, where she competed in cribbage, learned to play bridge and enjoyed the company of many friends. She was a treasure to all who knew her and will be remembered fondly.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 2-4 PM on Friday, February 2 at the Cremation Society 4100 Grand Ave., Duluth. In lieu of flowers, memorials to The Dick Forbort Fund, ℅ Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation, 324 W Superior St, #700, Duluth, MN 55802, are preferred.