1920
Agnes
2008
Agnes Forcella
December 27, 1920 — April 30, 2008
Agnes Pick Forcella was born on 27 December 1920 in Germany to Wilhelm and Elisabeth (Heinen) Pick. She was raised in the city of Cologne, and her family's apartment was near the famous Dome. These two facts were etched permanently in her mind, as she always described herself as a "city girl" and continually reminded her children of the KA�lnishe Dome.
Agnes was married twice. The first time was as a teenager during the turbulent 1930's in pre-war Germany. She bore two children during this time. Mother and young sons subsisted through the war years by working on farms in return for shelter and food. Based on the many tales she retold often, whether the war or the farm work was the bigger assault to this city girl's dignity was debatable. In any event, by wit and by guile Agnes and sons survived the war, but either the marriage or the husband did not. That part of Agnes' story remained a mystery which, perhaps, was best, as children need not know everything.
At some point near the war's end Agnes met her second husband, Frank, a sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corps. From this nearly 50-year union she bore two additional children. A move to California occurred in the late 1940's, then on to Japan during the Korean War, and subsequently to Air Force bases in Kansas, France, and Massachusetts. Agnes and Frank spent most of their married lives in the small town of Ludlow, Massachusetts, where they purchased their first home in 1960. That tiny house, always surrounded by flowers, was quite humble by modern standards, but it was their pride and joy. In the early 1990's they resettled in Virginia Beach, Virginia, to be near their eldest son.
Agnes had some quirks. Her Prussian demeanor required a spotless household; dust and clutter had no safe haven in her home. She delighted in talking to medical professionals, frequently saying that she really ought to donate her body to science, as "they could learn so much." Agnes was a doting and affectionate grandmother, often overwhelmingly so. This trait charmed toddler-aged grandchildren, but sometimes had the reverse effect on skittish adolescents. Regardless, Agnes' behavior never waivered, nor did her love for her children and grandchildren, even as the cruelties of dementia afflicted her during the last decade of life.
In her younger and more vibrant years Agnes often could be heard saying with a lilt in her voice and a smile on her face, "Love makes the world go "round." We never asked what prompted this melody, but we know now what she knew then. Affection, children, and the circle of life are all one and the same, and that was her world. Agnes completed the circle, her round of the world, on 30 April 2008. She died peacefully at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home in Starbuck, Minnesota, where the staff took wonderful care of her since early 2006.
Agnes was preceded in death by her parents; her three siblings, Annalisa, Maria, and Willi; her beloved namesake, Tante Agnes; and her husband, Frank. Agnes is survived by all of her children: Herbert (Lorie) Stephan of Virginia Beach, Virginia; Werner (Inge) Stephan of Treuchtlingen, Germany; Maryann (Martin) Brick of Hobes Sound, Florida; and Frank (Jessica) Forcella of Morris, Minnesota; ten grandchildren; and many great grandchildren.
A memorial service for Agnes Forcella is pending. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
Agnes was married twice. The first time was as a teenager during the turbulent 1930's in pre-war Germany. She bore two children during this time. Mother and young sons subsisted through the war years by working on farms in return for shelter and food. Based on the many tales she retold often, whether the war or the farm work was the bigger assault to this city girl's dignity was debatable. In any event, by wit and by guile Agnes and sons survived the war, but either the marriage or the husband did not. That part of Agnes' story remained a mystery which, perhaps, was best, as children need not know everything.
At some point near the war's end Agnes met her second husband, Frank, a sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corps. From this nearly 50-year union she bore two additional children. A move to California occurred in the late 1940's, then on to Japan during the Korean War, and subsequently to Air Force bases in Kansas, France, and Massachusetts. Agnes and Frank spent most of their married lives in the small town of Ludlow, Massachusetts, where they purchased their first home in 1960. That tiny house, always surrounded by flowers, was quite humble by modern standards, but it was their pride and joy. In the early 1990's they resettled in Virginia Beach, Virginia, to be near their eldest son.
Agnes had some quirks. Her Prussian demeanor required a spotless household; dust and clutter had no safe haven in her home. She delighted in talking to medical professionals, frequently saying that she really ought to donate her body to science, as "they could learn so much." Agnes was a doting and affectionate grandmother, often overwhelmingly so. This trait charmed toddler-aged grandchildren, but sometimes had the reverse effect on skittish adolescents. Regardless, Agnes' behavior never waivered, nor did her love for her children and grandchildren, even as the cruelties of dementia afflicted her during the last decade of life.
In her younger and more vibrant years Agnes often could be heard saying with a lilt in her voice and a smile on her face, "Love makes the world go "round." We never asked what prompted this melody, but we know now what she knew then. Affection, children, and the circle of life are all one and the same, and that was her world. Agnes completed the circle, her round of the world, on 30 April 2008. She died peacefully at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home in Starbuck, Minnesota, where the staff took wonderful care of her since early 2006.
Agnes was preceded in death by her parents; her three siblings, Annalisa, Maria, and Willi; her beloved namesake, Tante Agnes; and her husband, Frank. Agnes is survived by all of her children: Herbert (Lorie) Stephan of Virginia Beach, Virginia; Werner (Inge) Stephan of Treuchtlingen, Germany; Maryann (Martin) Brick of Hobes Sound, Florida; and Frank (Jessica) Forcella of Morris, Minnesota; ten grandchildren; and many great grandchildren.
A memorial service for Agnes Forcella is pending. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
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