With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Ronald Marshall Forrest of Harrisburg, SD.
These pages are a small offering toward a much larger life.
What remains is what was loved.
Deacon Ronald M. Forrest of Harrisburg, SD, passed away Monday, May 4, 2026, in Sioux Falls, SD, with his family by his side.Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Materi Dei Parish, Immaculate Conception Church, 1212 Morningside Ave, Sioux City IA, at 11:00 a.m. by Father Armand Bertrand and Father Brad Pelzel. The service will be live streamed on Mater Dei Parish's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/live/SAyKJ8s5vHU?si=Hmn3BjRL5CbGgIiG. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. prior to the service. A luncheon in the church parish hall will follow.Burial service with military rites will be held on Monday, May 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel, IA, officiated by Father Michael Hutchison from St. Johns Parish in Adel, IA.Ronald Marshall Forrest was born on August 11, 1941, to Samuel Marshall Forrest and Margaret Mae (Bloom) Forrest in Winchester, IN. Ron graduated from Winchester High School in 1959. After high school, he entered vocational work and then enlisted into the United States Air Force.Prior to his deployment to Vietnam in 1963, Ron met the love his life, Judith Ann Anderson. After a tour of duty in Vietnam, they were united in marriage on November 6, 1965, in Bayard, IA. To their union, three daughters were born, Christine, Catherine, and Cynthia.Ron was Honorably discharged in 1967 from the United States Air Force, achieving many honors and medals during his 8 years of service.Ron and Judy settled in Fremont, NE, and Ron worked for the Fremont Police Department before joining the Iowa State Patrol in 1969. His career quickly advanced and Ron was promoted to Special Agent for the State of Iowa with the Division of Criminal Investigation, from 1971 until his retirement in 1997.Ron became a member of the Knights of Columbus in June of 1979 in Denison, IA. In June of 1992, Ron took his Catholic faith and committed to becoming a Permeant Deacon in the Diocese of Davenport, IA, and later at the Diocese of Sioux City, IA, as a co-director of the Diaconate program providing sermons of faith, God, Family, and love.Ron will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Judy; daughters, Christine (Don Thomas) of Eldon, IA, Cathy (Phil) Campbell of Rogers, AR and Cindy (Lance) Sappingfield of Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren, Blake (Amada) Sappingfield, Evan Campbell, Sara Sappingfield and Hannah Campbell; sisters-in-law, Jane (Chip) Vargo and Suzy (Dale) Seidl; as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.Ron is preceded in death by his parents; 5 older sisters, Sylvia, Ruby, Violet, Maribelle and Charlotte; in- laws, Romaine and Helen Anderson; 6 brothers-in-law; and other extended family.
