Michael S. Forbes

Michael "Mike" Steven Forbes, 71, of rural Rockford, died Monday, June 1, 2026, at home after a three-year battle with lung cancer. Per his wishes, he was cremated. A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 5, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 North Pennsylvania, with Pastor Joel DeBoer officiating. A visitation will be held on Friday, from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., at the funeral home. Michael will be laid to rest at Park Cemetery in Nora Springs at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the family of Mike Forbes.

To watch Mike's service, click here: Mike's Service

Mike was born Feb. 26, 1955, at Park Hospital in Mason City to Charles L. and LeNore V. Forbes of rural Rockford. He grew up on a farm between Mason City and Nora Springs and attended school at Nora Springs-Rock Falls Community Schools, graduating in 1973. He played trumpet in high school band and used to practice his horn upstairs at home with the bedroom window open.

After graduation, he attended NIACC and earned an Associate of Arts degree in 1975. While attending NIACC, he worked various jobs to pay for his education, including delivering pizzas from Vic's Pizza and working at Target and Fermented Products.

He met his wife, Beth Sims of Mason City, "under the stars" during an astronomy class at NIACC in 1975. They were married Aug. 12, 1977, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mason City. He farmed with his father for several years until the mid-1980s. After leaving farming, he worked various manufacturing jobs in Mason City and eventually earned an Associate of Arts degree in accounting from NIACC.

Mike was very personable and made many friends throughout his life. He was an avid reader and enjoyed reading about all kinds of history as well as vintage science fiction, such as Isaac Asimov and Ray Bradbury. He also liked reading Patrick McManus, an outdoors columnist and author of humorous books. Mike loved museums, prehistoric dig sites, and touring bourbon distilleries in Kentucky.

His hobbies included hunting, fishing, mowing the lawn, vegetable gardening, and growing hostas. He was great help to his friends and family and was always available to help his parents.

Mike is survived by his wife, Beth; two sons, Jason A. Forbes, Waterloo, and Phillip A. Forbes, Ames; mother, LeNore Forbes, rural Nora Springs; sister Teresa Forbes, rural Nora Springs; and brother Gregory Forbes, Mason City. His in-laws, Nancy Sims, Keith and Kelly Sims, Jane Terry. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Christina Dietrich and Joseph Dietrich, both of Cabool, Mo, Tom Lindsay, Andrew Sims, Morgan and Madison Terry. He is also survived by his beloved cat "Pudkins", Milly.

He was preceded in death by his father Charles Forbes; an infant sister, Shirley Ann; sister Patricia Dietrich; maternal grandparents, Lawrence and Valborg Nelson; paternal grandparents, Noble Forbes and Doris Clark; and three paternal aunts: Donna O’Donnell, Kerri George, and Susan George Urban; and parents-in-law, Donald and Dolores Sims.