John W. Fort

John William Fort, age 76, of Hibbing, Minn. passed away on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Essentia Health St. Mary’s in Duluth, Minn. surrounded by loved ones.

John was born to William and Lois (Provost) Fort on May 3, 1950, in Crosby, Minn. He was the first child of eight and took his birth position seriously. He grew up in Chisholm where he graduated in 1968. After high school, he completed one year of college at Mankato State University, then joined the army. He served honorably as an elite Airborne Ranger with Company H, 75th Infantry (Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol), attached to the 1st Calvery Division during the Vietnam War. He returned to MSU and graduated with an accounting degree in 1973. John and Louise (Salmi) were united in marriage on September 14, 1974, at St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Hibbing, Minn.

He started his accounting career with Broker Hendrickson in St. Paul, in 1989, after 15 years working for different firms, he established his own practice, Fort & Co, with offices throughout the Iron Range. He was lifetime member of AICPA.

He took pride in the Iron Range. He sang the Chisholm fight song often - to the point where his children, who graduated from Hibbing, only remember the Chisholm cheer. John was civic minded and community oriented, and throughout his life, he served in leadership positions on numerous committees and organizations: The Hibbing Rotary Club, Hibbing Chamber of Commerce, Chisholm Foundation, Hibbing Community College Foundation, Fairview Range Hospital, Hibbing Elks Lodge, St. Leo’s church and school, MN Deer Hunters Association, VFW 8510, Hibbing DAV Chapter #3, and the American Legion Post 0222. He felt scouting was important in developing youth leadership. He dedicated himself to supporting Iron Range youth through the Boy Scouts of America, serving as Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, and on the Voyageurs Area Council board.

He deeply treasured his family, his friends from all stages of his life, his colleagues, and his clients. He truly enjoyed going to work and talking with new people every day. He was happiest when fishing, hunting, and socializing. Some of his greatest memories, and biggest stories, came from spending time with his family hunting at the Fort’s Forty. He cherished this time in the woods with those he loved - making meals, playing cribbage, and sharing stories. He also found joy in traditions shared at Fort’s Resort, spending time with the St. Paddy’s Day Crew each year, talking over morning coffee, hosting Christmas parties with his staff, and attending Trentini Club events.

He was known as a baby whisperer, magically being able to soothe babies with a quiet hum, or children of all ages with a spoon of ice cream, a mouse made from a napkin, or his reassuring presence. He often took the early morning shift to get his newborn grandchildren back to sleep. He taught all his children and grandchildren, even the reluctant ones, how to put a worm on a hook and how to take off a fish. He spent hours on the dock catching sunnies and perch with the kids.

John is survived by his wife of 52 years, Louise. Children: Michele (Michael) Tonn, Rochester, MN; Rachel (Zachariah) Morgan, Seattle, WA; and Eric (Lindsay) Fort, Shoreview, MN. Grandchildren: Corrina Michele Tonn, Annabelle Louise Tonn, Michael John Tonn, Quinn Antonia Morgan, Sabine Louise Morgan, Margaret Louise Fort, Henry Christopher Fort and Regina Marie Fort. Siblings: Arlene (Ron) Rider, Aitkin, MN; Christine Fort, Roger, MN; Kathleen (Don) Monson, Elk River, Minn; Nadine (John Scott) Fort, Kamloops BC; Paul (Kathleen) Fort, South Haven MN; Laurien (Ron Hertog) Fort, Ham Lake, MN and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother and sister-in-law Steven (Mary) Fort, and his in-laws, Henry and Rita Salmi.

Services will be held on Friday, October 9th at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 113 4th St SW, Chisholm, Minn. Visitation to be held from 9:30-11 with eulogies at 10:45. Father William Skarich will be presiding over Mass at 11:00. Reception to follow at Valentini's Supper Club from 12-2. Interment will be at 2:30 in Maple Hill Cemetery, 12057 US-169, Hibbing, Minn.

The family kindly requests that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in his name to the Chisholm Foundation https://www.chisholmfoundation.org/ or The Mid-Range Honor Guard, PO Box 383, Keewatin, MN, United States, Minnesota.