Gilbert O. "Bud" Fortin Jr., 1926-2010

FORTIN RICKS CHRISTIANSON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 3/7/2011 at 19:28:18

Sioux City Journal
1 October 2010

SIOUX CITY -- Gilbert O. "Bud" Fortin Jr., 84, of Sioux City died following a brief illness Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2010, at his residence surrounded by his family.

Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Church of the Nativity, with the Rev. Gerald Feierfeil officiating. Entombment will be in Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a parish vigil service at 7 p.m., at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent online to www.christysmith.com.

Bud was born June 22, 1926, in Salix, Iowa, the son of Gilbert O. Sr. and Helen Mae (Ricks) Fortin. He attended St. Joseph Elementary School and St. Joseph High School, both in Salix. He lived in California from 1945 to 1948, then moved to Sioux City.

He married Betty Christianson on Sept. 4, 1950, in Sioux City. The couple lived in Hinton, Iowa, for 16 years before moving back to Sioux City. He was employed at Watson Trucking Co. for 10 years. He then operated Fortin D.X. and U-Haul Station for 20 years. In 1978, he acquired ownership of Snider Shades, which he operated until his retirement in 1993.

He was a member of Church of the Nativity and the church Men's Club. He enjoyed working outside, doing yard work and had both vegetable and flower gardens. He was an excellent mechanic, working on his cars and doing remodeling around the house and his garage. He enjoyed traveling to spend time with his children and grandchildren. His life centered around his faily. He enjoyed meeting people and making new friends.

Survivors include his wife, Betty A. Fortin of Sioux City; eight children, Daryl G. Fortin and his wife, Patricia of Le Claire, Iowa, Cheryl S. and her husband, Roger Moss of Okoboji, Iowa, Craig S. Fortin and his wife, Mary Ann of San Diego, Calif., Cindy L. and her husband, Allen Stusse of Hinton, Iowa, Diana L. and her husband, Gary Anderson of Sioux City, Shirley A. and her husband, Howard Holdenried of Sioux City, John L. Fortin of Gurnee, Ill., and Douglas P. Fortin and his wife, Kim of Minneapolis; 28 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; a son-in-law, Albert Richer of Sioux City; and a sister, Marie Helen Chaussee of Hamilton, Mont.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Linda J. Richer; a brother, Donald G.; and two sisters, Lucille Beran and Luann Fortin.

Pallbearers will be Sean Fortin, Carter Moss, Chad Fortin, Ryan Stusse, Dustin Anderson, Wesley Holdenried, Kristen Fortin and Isabella Fortin.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of Siouxland and Bishop Heelan High School.