Mary Lynne Forst

Mary Lynne Forst, 82, of Bryan and formerly of Brenham, passed away on May 23, 2026.

Visitation will be held from 5 - 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27th at Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham, Texas. A private family celebration of life service will be held at a later date. Burial will follow at Lake Bethel Cemetery in La Grange, Indiana.

Mary Lynne was born on October 29, 1943, in Angola, Indiana, to Charles and Karolyn (German) Groosbeck. She was raised on her family's farm in northern Indiana, where she developed a lifelong appreciation for agriculture and strong family values. On August 25, 1963, she married the love of her life, Richard Forst, beginning a devoted partnership that would carry them across the country and through a life rich in family and service.

Mary Lynne attended Ball State University and Long Beach College. Rich's career led the family to Long Beach, California, Mishawaka, Indiana, and ultimately to Texas in November 1966, where they planted lasting roots.

A dedicated and hardworking professional, Mary Lynne began her career in veterinary medicine in 1976 as office manager for the Wharton Veterinary Clinic. In 1978, she joined Brenham Veterinary Hospital, where she faithfully served as office manager for forty years before retiring in 2018. Her commitment, compassion, and steady leadership left a lasting impact on colleagues and clients alike.

Mary Lynne was deeply involved in her church and her community and devoted much of her life to serving others. For fifty-six years, you could always find Mary Lynne up front and center in church supporting Rich when he was preaching or leading the worship service. She served as an Adult Leader for the Salem 4-H Club, was a member of the Washington County Little League Committee and was an active member of both the Washington County Cattlewomen's Association and the Washington County Aggie Moms.

Among Mary Lynne's greatest joys were family traditions and creating memories with those she loved. She especially enjoyed attending Aggie football games and cherished hosting "Cousin Camp" for her grandchildren each summer. These treasured adventures often included visits to Jersey Barnyard, Splashway, the Houston Zoo and Aquarium, Great Wolf Lodge, Schlitterbahn, Kemah, Blue Bell Creameries, and Must Be Heaven. Her favorite holiday was the Fourth of July, particularly celebrating in Round Top and participating in the beloved Independence Day parade with her family.

Mary Lynne will be remembered for her generous spirit, tireless work ethic, love of family, and gift for making every gathering special. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched through her service, friendship, and unwavering devotion to those she loved.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Misty Forst of Austin; daughters and sons-in-law, Annette and Oran Mikeal and Lisa and Les Williams, all of College Station; and her beloved grandchildren, Allison Burenheide, Lindsey (Blake) Kelly, John (Lauren), Jamie and Jason Forst, Abigayle and Olivia Williams, and Matt Mikeal. She is also survived by her nephews, Tim and Kathy Groosbeck and Ted and Bonnie Groosbeck; and niece, Natalie and Shawn Targgart.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Forst; her parents, Charles and Karolyn Groosbeck; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Fred and Esther Forst; and brothers- and sisters-in-law, Jack and Annalee Groosbeck and Jeff and Sandra Groosbeck.

Memorials in memory of Mary Lynne may be made to Aggieland Humane Society, 5359 Leonard Road, Bryan, Texas 77807 or www.aggielandhuman.org.

Funeral arrangements for Mary Lynne Forst are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main Street, Brenham, Texas. To post a tribute to the family, please visit www.memorialoakschapel.com