Inge E. Forsmark

Inge E. Forsmark, age 74 of Hastings, died peacefully on Tuesday morning, August 28, 2018, at United Hospital in St. Paul following a brief illness. Inge Elizabeth, the daughter of Konrad and Gertrude (Kanthak) Borkenhagen, was born on September 28, 1943, in Plastermell, Germany. In 1951, Inge immigrated to the United States and was sponsored by her uncle Paul, a wheat farmer, who lived in Bottineau, North Dakota. Her mother Gertrude first wondered if they had moved to Siberia, after experiencing snow up to the 2nd story of their farm home in their first year of being here. Inge graduated from Notre Dame and furthered her education at University of St. Thomas in Houston where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, her Masters in Second Languages from Middlebury, and her PhD in Second Languages & Education from the University of Minnesota. While studying at the U of M, Inge met her soon to be husband, Loren Forsmark, and they were later married on December 18, 1976. They settled in rural Hastings where they continued to live for forty-two years, and were also blessed with the opportunity to raise two beautiful, soulful, and religious children: Konrad Paul and Alisoun Lynn, both of whom meant the world to Inge and Loren. Inge was a devout catholic, and was an active parishioner of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hastings and St. Joseph in Miesville. She was one of the founding members of the Hastings Housing Coalition which helped bring painting for the unable seniors, homes for families without, and also assisted Habitat for Humanity. Above that, Inge was a founding member of Car Care Ministry, which fixed cars for those in need that could not afford to pay for the repairs. She loved traveling to Italy, Germany, Spain, France and Canada. She especially loved traveling to Italy to admire their beautiful churches and abundant amounts of Saints. No matter where she traveled, Inge managed to make friends wherever she was. Her love for the Blessed Mother, Jesus, and the Church were revealed powerfully in her life. She prayed many, many rosaries, and had a great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and God’s Divine Mercy. Inge, by the grace of God, carried her cross for Christ, right until the very end. She was greatly loved by her family and friends, and will be missed, however we all know she will be praying for us in heaven. Inge is survived by her husband, Loren; children, Konrad and Alisoun; and many brothers and sisters in Christ whom were like family to her. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 4, 2018, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hastings, with Father Jim Perkl officiating. Immediately following, all are invited to a reception in Mother Seton Hall at church. Inge will be privately interred at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Miesville. Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at church on Tuesday morning. In place of flowers, memorials are requested to Feed My Starving Children in Inge’s honor. Arrangements are being completed by Wise Family Funeral & Cremation Services of Hastings.