Donald J Forte

Donald J. Forte, 102, formerly of Brainerd, died Monday, December 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. Don was born in Eveleth, MN, on November 7, 1922, to Wallace and Jennie (Nelson) Forte. He graduated from Eveleth High School with academic honors in 1941 and attended Virginia Junior College. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 and worked as a Sonarman First Class for 3 years in New Guinea. Don graduated with an electrical engineering degree from the University of Minnesota in 1949, played right wing for the 1947-48 Gopher Hockey Team, and served as Circulation Manager for the Minnesota Daily. He worked for Honeywell in Aerospace Engineering for over 38 years. He married Mary E. Schlumpberger on May 20, 1950, and the couple raised their family in Robbinsdale until retiring at Platte Lake in 1988. Don’s avocation was trombone. He played in band and orchestra throughout high school, the Eveleth and Virginia City Bands, Robbinsdale City Band, Central Lakes College (CLC) Community Band, Heartland Symphony Orchestra, and his last concert at age 97 with the CLC Wind Symphony in Brainerd. Don enjoyed life at the lake including fishing, hunting, walks, time with family, and his dogs. He lived at Woodland in Brainerd since 2015. When asked about his longevity, he replied, “I never smoked”. Outside of rehabilitation, he spent less than 12 days in a nursing home his entire life and had lived with his daughter in Minneapolis since late October. Don will be remembered for his genuine, pleasant, and positive demeanor, grateful heart, self-discipline, persistence, light and witty humor, and thought-provoking one-liners.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mary, two infant daughters, parents, and brother Robert. He is survived by his son Michael (Janel) Forte of Emily, MN, Rita Forte of Hillman, MN, and Mary L. Forte of Minneapolis, MN; nieces, nephews, and friends.

Memorials preferred to the CLC Foundation (Band Account) or Wild & Free (Garrison).

Catholic memorial service at Halvorson-Taylor Funeral Home in Brainerd at 2 pm on December 26, 2024, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery on December 27, 2024, at 10:30 am.

Caring for Don and his family

Halvorson Taylor Funeral Home

Brainerd