Earl Forristall

Earl Frank Forristall was born on March 2, 1922 Lincoln, Nebraska to Frank L. and Charlotte (Lottie) A. (Newman) Forristall of Hugo, CO. He died on November 13, 2011 in Hugo, Colorado at age 89. He was brought home to Hugo when he was 6 weeks old as his mother had gone back to Lincoln to have him since she had already lost a daughter to blood poisoning at age 6 and another daughter who was stillborn. He went to school from 1st grade to 8th grade in a one- room school house called Excelsior, which was about a mile from his house (11 miles south of Hugo). He went on to Hugo High School where he graduated as Valedictorian in 1939. He helped his father on the family farm/ranch before joining the Army in 1945, where he served post-war in occupied Japan until 1946. He saw the destruction caused by the atomic bombs in Japan while traveling through by train. After his father died, Earl continued the farm and ranch operation with his sons. His hobbies included driving tractors, sports, reading, puzzles and watching TV. All who knew him appreciated and enjoyed his great sense of humor and dry wit which was present to the end. He really enjoyed his work, life and family. He married Lorita K. Dutro on September 19, 1948 in Hugo. To this union were born eight children. Earl and Lorita went to card parties and visited with friends while young parents. They went to many school events throughout their lives and supported most occasions in the community by their presence and/or gifts. You could always count on them to be generous. He and his wife were very active in the United Methodist Church and community. Earl had served on the Hugo School Board. He was a member of the Hugo United Methodist Church, Hugo VFW Post 6612, Lincoln County Historical Society, Limon Historical Museum, Gift of Life, Cattlemen’s Association, R.S.V.P., Farm Bureau and Colorado/Lincoln County Wheat Growers. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Lorita; his sons Keith and Bruce; his grandchildren Belinda (B.K.) Forristall and Brandon Trujillo; and his sisters, Naomi and Edith. He is survived by his six children: Diana Welz, Hugo; Elaine (Dan) Trujillo, Denver; Paul, Denver; Ann (Scott) Lucia, Larkspur; Shirley (Bill) Tourjee, Dolores; and John, Hugo; 21 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren plus others who called him grandpa; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws and friends.