Forrest “Curly” Broderius

Obituary

Forrest Macik Broderius, son of William John Broderius Jr., and Lillian Vlasta Macik Broderius, was born on February 27, 1937, on the family farm in Melville township, Minnesota.

He passed away on September 30, 2025, in route from St. Cloud, Minnesota, to Northfield, Minnesota, but took his last conscious breath on the same farm where he was born. If he could have planned it, this is what he would have wanted.

Forrest grew up with three older brothers: Buford, Lloyd, and Malcolm. They were the role models for his life. They taught him how to work hard and have fun on the farm, they demonstrated excellence in athletics, and they lived lives of service to their country and community. Forrest followed in their footsteps in all of these areas.

Forrest graduated from Hector High School in 1955 and enlisted in the United States Army. He was stationed in Fort Lewis, Washington, and later at Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska. While in Alaska, he was a member of the ski patrol guarding the base. After his service in the Army, Forrest returned to Hector and began his farming career.

In 1964, Forrest met Mary Katherine Lien in Hutchinson, Minnesota. They married at First Lutheran Church in Amery, Wisconsin, on July 10, 1966. From then on, Mary and Forrest worked hard but took time to enjoy a great group of friends and family. The only thing missing was a little one in their home. On March 21, 1977, their prayers were answered when Lutheran Social Services called about a baby girl available for adoption. They named her Katherine Margaret and raised her on the farm.

From an early age, Forrest was drawn to aviation. He and Lowell Kirgiss left study hall at the high school to attend flying lessons at the Hector airport. He obtained his private pilot license at age 18 and was still flying at 88. In fact, in the spring of 2025, Forrest passed his instrument flight review with flying colors. Many people saw him enjoying the Hector flight breakfast on September 21, 2025, as he drove the London taxi to shuttle pilots from their planes to the breakfast hangar.

Acting in the Hector Community Theater was an unexpected pleasure for Forrest. He had roles in The Sound of Music, Our Town, The Christmas Carol, South Pacific, Music Man, and State Fair. Forrest enjoyed being in every one of the productions.

Forrest is survived by his wife, Mary; daughter, Katherine Norrie; son-in-law, Jonathan Norrie; and grandsons, Emmett and Wyatt Norrie of Northfield, Minnesota.

Forrest was preceded in death by his parents, William Jr. and Lillian Broderius; brother, Buford Broderius and his wife, Elvera; brother, Lloyd Broderius and his wife, Maxine; brother, Malcolm Broderius and his wife, Donna; and brother-in-law, Dan Lien and his wife, Margee.

Blessed be his memory.