Forrest Bidwell

Forrest Bidwell, 62, of Sioux Center, IA died Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at the Sioux Center Community Hospital.

A funeral service will be held Saturday at 10am at New Life Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Rev. Carl Boersma officiating. Interment will be held in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center.

Visitation will be held Friday from 4pm to 8pm, with the family present from 6pm to 8pm at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.


Forrest Bidwell was born February 18, 1946, Worchester, MA to Francis and Marion Bidwell. He was baptized at the Baptist Church, in Yuma, AZ. He spent most of his younger years traveling with his family as migrant farm workers moving from Massachusetts to California, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Vermont. Forrest worked as a truck driver for 43 years throughout the 48 states making numerous friends along the way.

On April 4, 1979, he married Arlene (Rozeboom) Punt from Sioux Center, IA. They resided on the farm southwest of Sioux Center where Forrest continued trucking and also farming with Arlene. In 1987, they moved to their home east of Sioux Center.

Forrest enjoyed his children and grandchildren. He spent countless hours tinkering making toys, scooters, go-carts, and potato shooters which were enjoyed by all. He is fondly remembered for his many jokes and pranks. Forrest also enjoyed working on miniature steam engines, restoring pickups, and flying his ultra-light.

He will be missed greatly by his wife Arlene of 28 years; his children: Christine Cookson, Christopher (Bob) and Melissa Bidwell all of Johnson, VT, Chane and Michelle Bidwell of Pierce, CO, Harv & Lori Punt of Hull, Roger & Nancy Punt of Prinsburg, MN, Wanda and Alex Peat of Orange City, Bernie and Pam Punt of Sioux Center, Edwin & Cheryl Punt of Durham, NC, Jane Case of Watertown, SD, Mary and Bruce Vander Wilt of Mount Holly, NJ, Carol and Vince Yusten of Sioux Falls, SD; 31 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; sisters and brothers-in-law: Brenda and Lee Bidwell, Janeice and Roger Bidwell both of Johnson, VT; sister, Augusta Bidwell of Johnson, VT; brother and sister-in-law, Stan and Leah Bidwell of Foss, OK; brother, Seymour Bidwell of Johnson, VT and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; his brother, Lester Bidwell; and grandsons: Jason Gernandt and Christopher Everett Bidwell.