John Joseph Forke

John Joseph Forke, age 79, of Breda, IA, passed away on Sunday, April 5, 2026 at Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids, IA.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 P.M. on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Carroll with Deacon Butch Stone officiating. Burial will be in St. Bernard’s Cemetery in Breda. Military honors will be conducted by the Breda American Legion.

Visitation will be held at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Carroll from 1 – 2:15 P.M. on Saturday prior to the service.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested for a later designation.

John was born on February 4, 1947 in Carroll, IA, and he was the son of Ivan and Alma (Sporrer) Forke. He grew up in Breda where he graduated from St. Bernard’s High School in 1965. John was drafted into the United States Army and served two years in Korea during the Vietnam Conflict. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Breda where he worked construction and farmed with his father on the Forke family farm. John was married to Deborah Kuhl on May 5, 1973 in Omaha. The couple made their home east of Breda where they raised livestock and horses. John enjoyed socializing and playing cards with his friends at Zeke’s and Al’s Corner. Horses were his passion and he loved spending time with his family attending his kid’s softball games and wrestling matches.

John is survived by his wife Deb of Carroll; his children and their families: Natalie Forke of Carroll, Eric Forke of Des Moines, Erin Forke (Dana) of Des Moines, Tristan Hinners (Chris) of Arcadia, Brianne Goins (Brent) of Carroll, and Brooke Eischeid of Manning; three step children: Jamie Hansman of Lidderdale, Amy Warnke (Kurt) of Carroll, and Nichole Johnston (Dennis) of Goodyear, AZ; nineteen grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; seven sisters-in-law: Cheryl Webber (Denny) of Houston, TX, Vicki Duncan of Carroll, Connie Simons (Greg) of Carroll, Roxanne Goetzinger of Carroll, Kimberly Williams (Scott) of Katy, TX, Shannon Kirby (Herbert) of Tomball, TX, and Janine Harms of Carroll; a brother-in-law Merrill Crandal (Flo) of Lincoln, NE; and many nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.

John was preceded in death by his parents Ivan and Alma Forke; his in-laws: Chuck and Betty Harms; and a sister-in-law Jean Benton.