Darlene Forret

Darlene Marie Forret passed away at her home in Catlin, on April 5, 2008 at 12:45am after a year long battle with cancer, surrounded by her family. Darlene was born on August 13, 1950, in Danville, the daughter of Elwood J. and Wanda M. (Dossey) Ellis. They both survive. She was a graduate of Bismarck-Henning High School in 1968. She was active in many clubs and organizations and was honored to serve as the head majorette her senior year. The Reverend Ken Fetters also baptized her at the First Church of Christ in Bismarck when she was a teenager. Darlene married Gary Forret on February 24, 2002, at the Little Church of the West in Las Vegas, Nevada. He survives. She was previously married to Robert Trosper and then to Robert Holley. They too survive. Other survivors include her four children: Shaun Robert Trosper of Catlin, Kevin Holley of Tilton, Ian Forret of Fort Meyers, FL., and her daughter; Tina (Les) McDonald of Oakwood. Her five grandchildren also survive her: Allison, Lauren, and Jake Trosper of Catlin, and Garett and Steven McDonald of Oakwood. She is also survived by her sisters: Gay Seidler of Naples, Florida, and Penny McConnell of Catlin. Her brothers; Scott Ellis (Kent) of Houston, Texas, and Toby Ellis of Catlin. Her five nieces and nephews: Traci Swanson, of FL, Stephani (Kara) Brett of FL, Brad Seidler, of FL, Paige McConnell of Catlin, and Morgan McConnell of Catlin. She is also survived by her uncles and aunts: Harry and Jane Golden of Bismarck, Lloyd Toby, Marvin and Edwina Dossey, Norlyn and Dolores Dossey, and Gerald Dossey, all of Danville. Her father and mother-in-law, Gene and Jan Forret, and sister-in-law; Jill (Brian) Lane and their children; Zachery and Madeline. Darlene had many cousins and friends, two that were very special to her were Martha (Bob) See and Bonnie (Greg) Thompson, as well as being very close to her former daughter-in-law: Kim Murphy. Her stepfather; Duane Nafziger, her brother-in-law Gene McConnell, her grandparents, her uncle Wendal Ellis and her aunts: Esther Ellis, Lavonne Toby, Billie Dossey, and her infant cousin: Jeffery Dossey, precede Darlene in death. Darlene spent most of her life serving others, both professionally and personally. She worked at Cargo Sheet Metal, for several area banks, and at the YMCA for many years. In 1987, she and her family relocated to Fort Myers, Florida. While there, she worked at the Cracker Barrel, Bob Evans, and The Hut, where she served as front-end manager and wedding and party coordinator. Upon returning to the Danville Area in 2004, Darlene worked at Toyota and then at Jockos, where she was nominated for the R.O.S.E. (Recognition of Service Excellence) award in October of 2006. Darlenes greatest joy was taking care of her family and friends. She loved organizing family get togethers, taking pictures of her loved ones, decorating and taking care of her home, her dog Zoe, cats Sebastian and Gatsby, and being outdoors. She was especially devoted to her parents and loved spending time with her grandchildren. She was always thinking of others and had a special talent for finding just the right gifts for the people she cared about. She was affectionately called Dar, Dar Dar, and the Warden. The words most frequently used to describe her was sweet. To know her was to love her.