Claudette had a unique life. Born in Burlington VT on March 29,1936. Her mother, Mary Lepak married her biological father, Charles Robinson, Nov.1981. Claudette’s adoptive parents were Earl and Gertrude Rudin who had another adopted daughter 10 years older -Phyllis, so Claudette had a sister. She grew up in Dalton, MA (the home of Crane & Co. founded in 1801) and graduated with honors from Dalton High school in 1954. She was active in the honor society, school newspaper, girls’ basketball team and one of three winners of the nurses’ essay contest for Berkshire County.
Nursing was her goal and was influenced by her cousins Dorothy and Marjorie Briggs who were nurses. Off to Fitchburg State College (Fitchburg University now) & Burbank Hospital School of Nursing in Fitchburg, MA. where she received her bachelor’s degree in nursing education and later graduated from UW Milwaukee with her master’s degree in administrative leadership.
It was in Fitchburg where she met her husband, Henry (Hank) Forss and were married on Dec. 20, 1958. They were blessed to celebrate their 50th anniversary before Hank died of pancreatic cancer; he preceded her in death on Oct. 21, 2009. They were parents of five children and led a very active life with the children’s activities and their career challenges. They fondly loved living in Quincy, Hingham and Rockland, MA before moving to Wisconsin in 1968 where they continued their careers: Claudette teaching at Waukesha County Technical College and then moved to Sheboygan in 1974 where she taught at Lakeshore Technical College for 20 years; retiring in 1994. After retirement, she became nurse consultant for CBRF homes in the area. She enjoyed being employed for Aurora in their Shoo the Flu clinics administering flu shots for over 10 years.
Her volunteerism included to be active at Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice resale shop. She was active in Shawl Ministry at First Congregational Church where she was a member for over 40 years and active in the Women’s study group, memorial gifts, and funeral committee. Claudette had been highly active in previous years in AAUW, Sheboygan County Quilters Guild, League of Women’s Voters, People to People and Maywood. She continued to be active in gardening and Lake Shore Garden Club. She enjoyed her Monday nights at the food trucks and playing games with friends at Jean Grade’s house: fun times for over 5 years. Cup of Hope group she got involved in after Hank passed—10 strong celebrated each other’s birthdays and special events during the year and play board games, dominoes, Rummykub to name a few—a great time with a few sips of wine or wine coolers: Ken, Peggy, Caroline, Linda, Rose, Fred, Sue, Darlene and Delores.
Claudette was always eager to lend a helping hand to anyone. Her home was always welcomed to all who entered. She was so proud of her children and their accomplishments: Mark and his wife Janice, Kiel, WI., Steven and his wife Deirdre, Charlestown, MA., Brian, Judy, & Jennifer, Los Angeles, CA. Her grandchildren were so important in her life and loved to attend their school events, graduations and other activities: Abby (Michael) Flancher, Autumn Forss (Brendon Fanning), Brian Henry (Kelly) Forss, Kim (Todd) Havlinek, and Jason (Kim) Baumann, great grandchildren: Nick Jetzer, Anthony Jetzer, Allison Lackey and Charlotte Flancher as well as 6 great, great, grandchildren, special friends and relatives: HD Knight, MJ & Roland Brilla and family, Ginny & Dick Romaine, Paula Forss, Martha Johnson, Lucille Schuh, Marlys K., Jean G., Jeannie & Don Meyer, The Thompson’s, Marilyn R., Linda R., Muriel R., Shirley L., Trish D., to name a few; my nieces : Sandra (Sal) Guido, Terry Herlihy, Susan (Paul) Martineu, Karen (Jon) Hall, Pam (Brian) Bliesner, Valerie (Aaron) Hildred, my nephew, Glenn Holcomb, cousins: Russ Kimball, Pat Leikkanen, Marsha Kardon, Jim Pollock, Betty, Elsa, & Marjorie as well as special neighbors , co-workers at the resale shop, my college friends who celebrate our graduation every year, my former students, my “old“ friends Tricia, Albertine, Dorothy, Doris, my Rockland, MA neighbors Judy, Louise and Ella – We reunited after 50 yrs in 2018 -what a wonderful time we shared and many other friends – you know who you are and bless you! My Rev. Jim and Julia Hollister as well as Beth P. and Kristal K., are so supportive of me. Those who departed too soon were my daughter Judy, my son Brian and my husband Hank, and my sister Phyllis Holcomb. Preceded in death by parents, other family members and my dog, Quincy. I have been blessed by my supportive family and friends. Thank you all and God bless you.
Love, Claudette
Claudette’s family would like to extend a special heartfelt thank you to Rev. Jim and Julia Hollister and the staff at Sheboygan Senior Community (especially Claudette’s favorite aide, Austin), Aurora Grafton, and Sharon Richardson Hospice for the exceptional care and compassion shown to Claudette.
In lieu of flowers please make your donation payable to: First Congregational Church – Memorial Fund, 310 Bluff Avenue, Sheboygan, WI 53081.
A funeral service for Claudette Forss will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at Ballhorn Chapels Funeral & Cremation Care Center, 1201 N. 8th St., Sheboygan, WI with Rev. Jim Hollister officiating. For those who would like to attend, a visitation will begin at 9:00 AM at the funeral home, until the time of the service. Entombment will take place at Greenlawn Memorial Park (indoors), Kohler, WI at 2:00 PM.
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