Walter Edwin Gilseth

Walter Edwin Gilseth, 87, of St. Charles died Sunday March 2, 2008 at Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield. Walter was born January 13, 1921 in Alberta, Canada to Albert & Mathilda (Swanson) Gilseth. He moved with his family to Harvey, North Dakota and later to Seattle, WA, where he graduated from High School. Walter served in the US Army's 41st Division during WWII and was stationed in the South Pacific. He and Margaret Chrislock were married June 1, 1946 in Seattle, WA. In 1954 he graduated from Western Washington State University if Bellingham, WA. In 1959 Walter and Margaret moved, with their son Steven to Tanzania, Africa where he taught school four years at Marangu Teachers Training College at Mount Kilimanjaro. They moved to Cottonwood, MN in 1964, before moving to St. Charles in 1966, where he was Principal of St. Charles Elementary School until retiring in 1984. Following retirement he worked part-time for Winona State College, overseeing student teachers. Margaret died June 10, 2007. Walter was a member of Faith Lutheran Church and Lions Club of St. Charles. He also belonged to the Son's of Norway and the 41st Army Division veterans group. Survivors include a son Steven (Laurie) Gilseth and two granddaughters, Anandi and Roshni Gilseth, all of St. Charles. He was preceded in death by his wife Margaret, two sisters and a brother. Funeral Services will be 11AM Thursday at Faith Lutheran Church in St. Charles with the Reverend David Beckstrom officiating. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery, St. Charles. Friends may call from 5-8 PM Wednesday at Hoff Funeral Home in St. Charles. They may also call one before services at the church. Please share a memory of Walter's at on-line Guestbook and view his Video Tribute at www.hofffuneral.com.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/12374