Gordon Hatleli

HOFF FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICE 507-864-7771RUSHFORD, MINN. - Gordon R. Hatleli, 88, of Rushford, Minn. died on Sunday, September 28, 2014, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, Wis. Gordon was born on September 10, 1926, to Christ and Cora (Carlson) Hatleli in Peterson, Minn. He attended school in Rushford, Albert Lea, and the University of Minnesota. Gordon married Betty Swenson on August 11, 1949, at Rushford Lutheran Parsonage. Gordon was employed by Botsford Lumber Company and the City of Rushford as City Clerk and City Administrator until his retirement on February 1, 1985. He was baptized and confirmed in the Rushford Lutheran Church. Gordon was a lifelong member of the Rushford Lutheran Church and was a member of the church council. He was a past member of the Lion's Club, a Boy Scout leader, a member of the American Waterworks Association, and co-sponsor and president of Southeast Minnesota League of Cities. As City Administrator of Rushford, he was involved in the dike system, the airport, and the planning of the new sewage plant, which was completed after he retired. He served on the Rushford and Fillmore County EDA, and was chairman of both.Gordon is survived by his wife, Betty; one son: Thomas (Karlene) Hatleli of Lanesboro and one daughter: Teryl (Jeff Henriksen) Hatleli of Winona; five grandchildren: Ryan (Alisha) Hatleli of Rapid City, SD, Jay (Sara) Hatleli of Rosemount, Minn., Sara (Ben) Daley of Lewiston, Minn., Brent Runningen of Winona, and Lee (Stephanie) Runningen of Winona; seven great-grandchildren: Sophia Hatleli, Kenna and Quinn Hatleli, Claire and Georgia Daley, Natalie and Jaxon Runningen; and one sister-in-law, Phyllis Hatleli of Rushford. He was preceded in death by his parents: Christ and Cora Hatleli; sister, Thora Hoiseth; and brothers: Cyrus, Llewellyn, Merle, and Joel Hatleli. There will be a memorial service for Gordon at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 1, 2014, at Rushford Lutheran Church with Rev. Roger Michaelson officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in the Rushford Lutheran Cemetery. Leave a memory of Gordon and sign his online guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com