Martha Rae Forbeck

Martha Rae Forbeck Beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. Martha (Martie) Forbeck’s love of life didn’t come to an end with her death. Martha passed away on December 31, 2021 at the age of 63 after a courageous battle with breast cancer. She was surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor her memory by living their lives to the fullest.

The daughter of Marilyn and the late David Braun, Martha was born on July 23, 1958 in Appleton, WI and grew up in Black Creek, WI. After graduating from Seymour High School in 1976, she began work at Wisconsin Electric, where she met her husband, Dean Forbeck. Martha and Dean were married on August 16, 1980 and had five children together. After marrying, they settled in Appleton, WI and would reside there throughout their married life. For the past 25 years, Martha worked as a tax preparer for H&R Block, where she excelled. She immensely enjoyed working with her numerous loyal clients. Always, Martha was an exceedingly generous person, constantly looking for ways to create or do something special for family and friends. She loved being a mother and was a very active and involved parent. Martha was a consistent and reliable volunteer at the schools her children attended, proudly attended all of their activities, provided them with many types of experiences, and loved each of them tremendously. Martha loved celebrating holidays, especially the Fourth of July. Additionally, she delighted in heading downtown on Thursday nights for live music, a night out with the cousins, Friday night fish fries with her H&R Block friends, and spending time in Panama City Beach, FL with her family. Essentially, Martha really just loved spending time with family and friends—sitting around the fire, playing cards, planning a cookout; anything to gather and be with those she cared about most. She was truly a human sparkler.

Martha is survived by her husband, Dean, and four children Megan, Joseph, Andrew, and Christopher (fiancée Samantha Piontek). She is also survived by her mother, Marilyn Braun and sisters, Sarah (Frank) Strobel, Stephanie (Michael) Bissing, along with her sisters and brothers-in-law, Judy (Jerry) Smits, Dennis (Ellyn) Forbeck, Duane (Kathy) Forbeck, Doug (Jeanne) Forbeck, Rhonda (Tom) Dietzler, David (special friend Lynn) Forbeck, and godchildren, Allison Braun and Lee Forbeck. Martha came from a very large family, so is survived by numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her infant son, Jason, father, David Braun, mother and father-in-law, Marjorie and Raymond Forbeck, nephew, James Smits, niece, Lyncoln Forbeck, great niece Angela Ramig, along with grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 8, 2022 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, N2740 N. French Rd. Appleton, WI. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. For online condolences, please visit: www.verkuilenfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, Martha’s family invite her family and friends to contribute to the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Breast Cancer Research Greatest Need Fund, in her name. To make a contribution, please visit https://secure.supportuw.org and select Breast Cancer Research Greatest Need Fund. Martha will be forever loved and never forgotten.

Martha’s family would like to thank the practitioners and staff at Fox Valley Hematology and Oncology for their extraordinary care and dedication to her treatment during her illness. Additionally, they would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to the staff at ThedaCare At Home hospice service for their support, attentiveness, and wonderful care, which enabled Martha to spend her last days at home, comfortable, loved, and surrounded by family and friends.

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