Joraan Luverne Forbord was born May 7, 1987 in Benson, Minnesota, the son of Luverne and Mary Jo (Hilleren) Forbord. He was baptized and confirmed at East Zion Lutheran Church in Langhei Township, Pope County, MN. He graduated in 2005 from Benson High School. He went on to receive an Associate of Arts degree in Carpentry from Alexandria Technical School. Joraan was a lifetime member of East Zion Lutheran Church and community. Joraan reminded us often to "enjoy every day". He treasured time spent with his family and friends. He loved being at home on Prairie Horizons Farm, on the lake ice fishing and spearing, in the woods deer hunting, singing and playing music, especially vocal harmony and drums. He was skilled in carpentry and construction. Joraan lived courageously with synovial sarcoma, a rare form of childhood cancer. As his physical strength waned, he increased his gratitude and love for his family, friends, and community. Joraan was called from this life on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN. He was 22 years, 8 months and 19 days old. Joraan will live forever in the presence of God and in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. Joraan is survived by his parents: Luverne and Mary Jo Forbord of Langhei Township, MN, a sister and brother-in-law Meriah and Chris Chamberlain of Golden Valley, MN, a brother, Jaiden Forbord of Langhei Township; grandparents Adlore and Olive Forbord of rural Benson, Wilfred and Evelyn Hilleren of Benson, Uncles and aunts Randy and Debbie Hilleren of Benson, Janet (Hilleren) Benway and Keith Gasner of Bluffton, SC, Denny and Joanie Hilleren of Colleyville, TX,David and Billy Hilleren of Evergreen, LA; Philip and Chrysees Forbord, Benson, Grace Forbord and Erik Steen of Brainerd, Allan and Betty Forbord of Prior Lake, Oronah (Forbord) and Steve Hanson of Virginia Beach, VA; a very special girlfriend, 21 very special cousins, and many other relatives and friends of all ages. In lieu of floral arrangements, Joraan's family requests donations to hunger relief or to the Joraan Forbord Memorial Orchard at Prairie Horizons Farm.
