Alton Duane Forseth
February 11, 1930 – February 28, 2024
Alton Duane Forseth, 94, of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, went to his heavenly home on February 28, 2024. He was born on Feb. 11, 1930, in Iola, Wisconsin, to the late Erling and Julia (Norby) Forseth.
Alton married Mabel (Hansen) Forseth on Aug. 1, 1953, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Alton attended grade school in a one-room multigrade schoolhouse on the corner of Bestul Road and County Road G. In fifth grade, a rural school bus route was established, and the one-room schoolhouse was closed so he attended school in the village.
In high school, Alton was known as “Happy” or “Hap” for short because of his happy disposition. He received exceptional grades and excelled at sports, was president of his freshman class, and then captain of the basketball team. He attended his class reunions in Iola well into his 80s.
Alton joined the US Air Force in 1948 and did his basic training and military service for one year at Scott Air Force Base with the 3311th Food Service Squadron. He was again recalled to Active Duty in 1950 in support of the Korean War to Brooks Air Force Base, Texas, where he served two years – first as a cook, then as an Air Police Trainee, and eventually as a Medical Helper where he attained the rank of a corporal and got him interested in Pharmacy.
He enrolled in Pharmacy School at UW-Madison and upon graduation served as a Pharmacy Intern in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, when he passed the Wisconsin State Board Exam. He worked for several pharmacies over the years in the Oconomowoc area until joining the Kmart Pharmacy, where he retired in 1996 after a 40-year career.
Alton enjoyed traveling and camping with his family of four boys and his wife, Mabel. They traveled extensively throughout the United States and later enjoyed a trip to Norway and many cruises to Mexico and the Caribbean. They spent 10 years wintering in Palm Springs, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada.
He is survived by his wife, Mabel (Hansen) Forseth; four sons James, David, Alan (Oconomowoc), and John (Keven) Shorewood, Wisconsin; five nieces and a nephew.
His parents and his brother, Delbert (Eunice) Forseth, preceded him in death.
Alton enjoyed history and did extensive genealogy research on his Norwegian roots, indicating descent from the first Viking King of Norway.
Instead of flowers, please consider donating to the Iola Historical Society (210 Depot Street, P.O. Box 412, Iola, WI 54945) which is working to preserve the history of Alton’s hometown, or to the Waupaca County Humane Society (2293 Commercial Drive, Waupaca, WI 54981).
The Funeral Service for Alton will be held on Thursday, March 7, at 11 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Iola with Rev. Dale Wilson officiating. Visitation will be held at the church before the service from 10-11 a.m. Interment will be in Our Savior’s Lutheran Cemetery, Iola.