This is one of the all to many stories of murdered children that touched my heart. I've added this memorial to honor Dakota. I know his mommy and daddy and family will greatly miss him. Dakota was murdered by his mother's ex-boyfriend Joseph Rex Bell.(Joseph Rex Bell will be in prison for the next 38 years).
(This article appeared in the Marquette Mining Journal )
St. Paul, Minnesota - Our angel, Dakota Ryan Forss, left us too soon on April 12, 2005. He was born October 28, 2003 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Kalani Forss and Robert Ward.
Kota was a bright vibrant little boy who loved to explore the world around him. He had the most infectious laugh, the kind that left you no choice but to laugh along and a smile that lit up his little face. Kota had the kind of energy you only find in a small child.He was always a little squirmier and had taken such pride when he learned to walk and run. He loved to run down the hallway while you crawled after him, he'd turn to look at you and would just giggle.
Kota had a quiet side too; he loved to cuddle. He'd wrap his little arms around you and snuggle into your shoulder. Often you'd find him with his toys on the floor; he loved anything that made noises, horses and Elmo. He always enjoyed outings like visiting the John Ball Park Zoo.
Kota had not yet really learned to express himself with words, but he showed emotions in such a way that he shared them with everyone. He was such a serious little boy who would watch everything around him so intently. As soon as the world came his way he'd grab it with both fists and feel it in an extraordinary way. He was an immense joy to spend time with and very easy to love.
Kota was preceded in death by his Grandma, Janet Forss.
He is survived, missed and loved by his mommy, Kalani Forss and daddy, Robert Ward, both of St. Paul, Minnesota; his Aunt Bonnie Ward; brother Tanner; cousins Gabe; as well as his uncles, Dave and Robbie, all of St. Paul; his Grandpa, Cecil Forss; Aunt and Uncle, Kari and Scott Larsen; and cousin Sydney all of Marquette, Michigan; as well as many other aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and friends.
Burial took place on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, where he was put to rest with members of his extended family.
Though he spent just seventeen wonderful months in our presence, he was a joy to all who knew him. He brought pride to his Lakota heritage- the Soiux Nation. He had been blessed with a unique gift of making others smile. He left behind wonderful memories within all our hearts which will never go away.
(This article appeared in the Marquette Mining Journal )
St. Paul, Minnesota - Our angel, Dakota Ryan Forss, left us too soon on April 12, 2005. He was born October 28, 2003 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Kalani Forss and Robert Ward.
Kota was a bright vibrant little boy who loved to explore the world around him. He had the most infectious laugh, the kind that left you no choice but to laugh along and a smile that lit up his little face. Kota had the kind of energy you only find in a small child.He was always a little squirmier and had taken such pride when he learned to walk and run. He loved to run down the hallway while you crawled after him, he'd turn to look at you and would just giggle.
Kota had a quiet side too; he loved to cuddle. He'd wrap his little arms around you and snuggle into your shoulder. Often you'd find him with his toys on the floor; he loved anything that made noises, horses and Elmo. He always enjoyed outings like visiting the John Ball Park Zoo.
Kota had not yet really learned to express himself with words, but he showed emotions in such a way that he shared them with everyone. He was such a serious little boy who would watch everything around him so intently. As soon as the world came his way he'd grab it with both fists and feel it in an extraordinary way. He was an immense joy to spend time with and very easy to love.
Kota was preceded in death by his Grandma, Janet Forss.
He is survived, missed and loved by his mommy, Kalani Forss and daddy, Robert Ward, both of St. Paul, Minnesota; his Aunt Bonnie Ward; brother Tanner; cousins Gabe; as well as his uncles, Dave and Robbie, all of St. Paul; his Grandpa, Cecil Forss; Aunt and Uncle, Kari and Scott Larsen; and cousin Sydney all of Marquette, Michigan; as well as many other aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and friends.
Burial took place on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, where he was put to rest with members of his extended family.
Though he spent just seventeen wonderful months in our presence, he was a joy to all who knew him. He brought pride to his Lakota heritage- the Soiux Nation. He had been blessed with a unique gift of making others smile. He left behind wonderful memories within all our hearts which will never go away.
This is one of the all to many stories of murdered children that touched my heart. I've added this memorial to honor Dakota. I know his mommy and daddy and family will greatly miss him. Dakota was murdered by his mother's ex-boyfriend Joseph Rex Bell.(Joseph Rex Bell will be in prison for the next 38 years).
(This article appeared in the Marquette Mining Journal )
St. Paul, Minnesota - Our angel, Dakota Ryan Forss, left us too soon on April 12, 2005. He was born October 28, 2003 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Kalani Forss and Robert Ward.
Kota was a bright vibrant little boy who loved to explore the world around him. He had the most infectious laugh, the kind that left you no choice but to laugh along and a smile that lit up his little face. Kota had the kind of energy you only find in a small child.He was always a little squirmier and had taken such pride when he learned to walk and run. He loved to run down the hallway while you crawled after him, he'd turn to look at you and would just giggle.
Kota had a quiet side too; he loved to cuddle. He'd wrap his little arms around you and snuggle into your shoulder. Often you'd find him with his toys on the floor; he loved anything that made noises, horses and Elmo. He always enjoyed outings like visiting the John Ball Park Zoo.
Kota had not yet really learned to express himself with words, but he showed emotions in such a way that he shared them with everyone. He was such a serious little boy who would watch everything around him so intently. As soon as the world came his way he'd grab it with both fists and feel it in an extraordinary way. He was an immense joy to spend time with and very easy to love.
Kota was preceded in death by his Grandma, Janet Forss.
He is survived, missed and loved by his mommy, Kalani Forss and daddy, Robert Ward, both of St. Paul, Minnesota; his Aunt Bonnie Ward; brother Tanner; cousins Gabe; as well as his uncles, Dave and Robbie, all of St. Paul; his Grandpa, Cecil Forss; Aunt and Uncle, Kari and Scott Larsen; and cousin Sydney all of Marquette, Michigan; as well as many other aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and friends.
Burial took place on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, where he was put to rest with members of his extended family.
Though he spent just seventeen wonderful months in our presence, he was a joy to all who knew him. He brought pride to his Lakota heritage- the Soiux Nation. He had been blessed with a unique gift of making others smile. He left behind wonderful memories within all our hearts which will never go away.
(This article appeared in the Marquette Mining Journal )
St. Paul, Minnesota - Our angel, Dakota Ryan Forss, left us too soon on April 12, 2005. He was born October 28, 2003 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Kalani Forss and Robert Ward.
Kota was a bright vibrant little boy who loved to explore the world around him. He had the most infectious laugh, the kind that left you no choice but to laugh along and a smile that lit up his little face. Kota had the kind of energy you only find in a small child.He was always a little squirmier and had taken such pride when he learned to walk and run. He loved to run down the hallway while you crawled after him, he'd turn to look at you and would just giggle.
Kota had a quiet side too; he loved to cuddle. He'd wrap his little arms around you and snuggle into your shoulder. Often you'd find him with his toys on the floor; he loved anything that made noises, horses and Elmo. He always enjoyed outings like visiting the John Ball Park Zoo.
Kota had not yet really learned to express himself with words, but he showed emotions in such a way that he shared them with everyone. He was such a serious little boy who would watch everything around him so intently. As soon as the world came his way he'd grab it with both fists and feel it in an extraordinary way. He was an immense joy to spend time with and very easy to love.
Kota was preceded in death by his Grandma, Janet Forss.
He is survived, missed and loved by his mommy, Kalani Forss and daddy, Robert Ward, both of St. Paul, Minnesota; his Aunt Bonnie Ward; brother Tanner; cousins Gabe; as well as his uncles, Dave and Robbie, all of St. Paul; his Grandpa, Cecil Forss; Aunt and Uncle, Kari and Scott Larsen; and cousin Sydney all of Marquette, Michigan; as well as many other aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and friends.
Burial took place on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, where he was put to rest with members of his extended family.
Though he spent just seventeen wonderful months in our presence, he was a joy to all who knew him. He brought pride to his Lakota heritage- the Soiux Nation. He had been blessed with a unique gift of making others smile. He left behind wonderful memories within all our hearts which will never go away.
