Forrest Giannonatti

Forrest Sion Giannonatti Sr., 100, of Mentor, MN, passed awaypeacefully at home on July 27, 2025.
Forrest Giannonatti was born on November 18, 1924, in CampCrook, South Dakota to Andrew H. Giannonatti and MargaretClaire Welch Giannonatti. He attended Buffalo High School inBuffalo, SD and graduated in 1943.
Forrest enlisted in 1944 at 20 years of age and began his active-duty service in the United States Army Corp of Engineers. Aftertraining at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, he shipped out with almost3,000 other soldiers on a carrier to fi ght with ground forces at IwoJima, Japan. Before the ship landed, President Truman had dropped the atomic bombs onNagasaki and Hiroshima. The war ended. Forrest was then stationed at a post in Hokkaido,the northernmost part of Japan, famous for its extreme levels of snowfall. That winter thesnow reached reported depths of 19.5 feet. It was the most abnormal weather in 150 years.
When Forrest returned home he enlisted in the ERC (Enlisted Reserve Corp) and beganranching with his father. He sheared sheep all around the Harding County area anddelivered rural mail on horseback to local neighbors at Ludlow, SD on what was known asthe Lincoln Route.
As a member of the Enlisted Reserve Corp he was called up in 1950 to serve in the KoreanConfl ict. Once he received his notice on September 17, 1950, Forrest and Patricia Flathersdecided to marry and less than a month later they wed on October 12, 1950 in Camp Crook.Six days after the wedding on October 18, 1950, Forrest traveled by train from Marmoth, NDto Ft. Lewis, WA and served as Staff Sergeant. Patricia joined him two months later. Theystayed in Washington until he shipped out in February of 1951. Forrest again traveled bycarrier to the Pusan Army base on the southern tip of the Korean peninsula. He arrived inKorea with UN forces just following two of the deadliest battles of the Korean Confl ict.
During his service in Korea, Forrest took no leave time as he was anxious to get back to hisnew bride at home in South Dakota. He served abroad for 13 of his 21-month term with hisforeign service ending with appendix surgery. At the conclusion of his service, he wasdecorated with the Korean Service Medal, two Bronze Service Stars, and a Meritorious UnitCitation.
Forrest survived two wars, a serious construction accident and a major medical event.
Forrest spent years supporting his family by ranching and construction work, an ironworker and then ultimately returning to ranching in Mizpah, MN in the late 60's. Forrestand Pat made homes in Buffalo, Belle Fourche, and Rapid City, SD where they built a newhome, lived for several years in Crookston, MN before moving to Mizpah. He fi nished hiscareer running a large feedlot and cow herd for the Flaat Cattle Company near Mentor, MN.His sons Sion and Lin ranched with him for many years. Except for the time he spent as aniron worker, he was always caring for livestock and was never without a good saddle horse,actually many good saddle horses!
At 100 years old, Forrest continued to live at home with the wife that he had adored for 74years, at their ranch in Mentor. Theirs was a fairy tale romance and they seemed to be ableto charm each other a little bit every day right up to the end of his life. Forty-fi ve years agothey had aptly named their home the Trail's End Ranch. Both Forrest and Pat weredetermined never to move again. Together, Forrest and Pat raised six children, 16 belovedand devoted grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren.
Notably, Forrest and Pat always had an extra room in their home for any youngster whowas in need of a place to stay or a job, or any child or grandchild who was between things.Their hospitality and generosity to those in need knew no bounds.
His pride and joy were his grandchildren and raising fi ne registered quarter horses. Hishorses were shown and competed all over North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota, andColorado. He showed horses with partners Lynn and Deb Jabs of Colorado Springs, CO.They won many awards, most notably Rocky Mountain Quarterhorse Assn. ReserveChampion for Stallion" Go Vanzi Go" at competitions in Denver. He and Pat had a great loveof rodeo and they were always thrilled to have a chance to watch cousin, Jesse Bail competein professional rodeo.
The Veteran's Administration has provided generous support and service to Forrest in hislater years through their Community Care program and with the assistance of the excellent people at Polk County Veterans Assistance Program.
The Hearts in Action Hospice program formerly known as the Hospice of Red River Valleyprovided gentle and highly professional personal care for Forrest during the last fourmonths of his life.
Forrest is preceded in death by his son, Kirk Giannonatti; infant grandson, AnthonyGiannonatti; parents, Andrew and Margaret (Babe) Giannonatti; sisters, Roseann Jacksonand Zeta Giannonatti; and son-in-law, Paul Mitchell.
Forrest is survived by his wife, Patricia Flathers Giannonatti; children, Roxann Mitchell ofHackettstown, NJ, Reathel Giannonatti of Mentor, MN, Forrest Sion Giannonatti, Jr.(Belinda Sue) of Mentor, MN, Katherine Giannonatti, wife of the late Kirk Giannonatti ofMentor, MN, Terrill Bradford (Tom) of Mentor, MN, Lin Giannonatti (Laurie) of Brainerd,MN; grandchildren, Heather Burd (Luke), Rachel Morberg (Dan) Jessica Olson (Zachary)Amy Giannonatti, Blake Smith, Chloe Giannonatti, Juliette Ystenes (Ben), Luke Smith(Miranda) Claire Giannonatti, Casey Giannonatti, Marshall Giannonatti (Gabrielle),Marley Abrams (Grant) Andrew Giannonatti (Kynndyl), Kelsey Rittenour, (Cameron) LaineBerg (Garrett) Bailey Bradford; great-grandchildren, Kyra Giannonatti, Allyssa Morberg,Alexa Morberg, Elliana Olson, Ayla Olson, Avery Morberg, Lynn Burd, Forrest Burd, RemiFreedberg, Paisley Olson, Bella Giannonatti, Mia Giannonatti, Gage Giannonatti,Genevieve Smith, Lochlan Abrams, Charlotte Smith, and Callum Rittenour.
Forrest's family celebrated his life with a memorial service on Saturday, August 23, 2025 atSt. Lawrence Catholic Church in Mentor, MN. Burial will be at a later date.