Walter D. Aspelund

Walter Darwin Aspelund, 95, Rosholt, SD, died Saturday, February 25, 2012, at the Rosholt Care Center.
Funeral services were Saturday, March 3, at 10:30 a.m. at Bethania Lutheran Church in Rosholt, with Rev. Suzanne Benidt officiating. Music was provided by organist Ruby Larsen and vocalist Joe LeClair.
Burial was in the Trondhjem Cemetery, rural Rosholt. Honorary Pallbearers were the Coffee Clutch Gang.
Visitation was Friday from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at the Eggers Funeral Home in Rosholt. Visitation continued Saturday one hour prior to the service at the church.
Walter Darwin Aspelund was born on June 23, 1916, at Wilmot, SD, to Magnus and Mary (Stenseng) Aspelund. To this union two children were born: Olaf and Walter. He was baptized in the Wilmot Lutheran Church. When he was 9 months old his mother, Mary, died from a kerosene explosion in the home. He was partially burned from this explosion. He then came to Rosholt to live with his aunt and uncle, Helmer and Carrie (Stenseng) Hansen. He was confirmed at Trondhjem Lutheran Church. Most of his life was lived in the Rosholt area.
His father, Magnus, was remarried to Signa Stenseng, half sister to his first wife. To this union three girls were born: Lorraine, Inez, and Marie.
In the dirty 30's, he worked in southern Minnesota, at Dodge Center, for the Radke family.
On June 19, 1939, in Austin, MN, Walter was united in marriage to Mary Margaret LeClair. They returned to the Rosholt area and farmed. To this union two children were born: James Walter (who lived only one day) and Muriel Kay. They farmed in the area until the fall of 1968. He began working for the Farmer's Cooperative Elevator, and worked there until his retirement. He lost Margaret, to cancer, on September 20, 1977.
After his retirement he assisted Johnson Funeral Home with funerals. After Kelly Eggers took over the business, he continued working for Kelly. Besides assisting with funerals, he worked during the harvest season hauling grain for Hardie Farms. He did this for 20 years. He truly enjoyed driving trucks.
Over the years he served on the church councils of both Trondhjem and Bethania.
He loved to travel the three state area to pitch horseshoes. He participated in many tournaments and won many trophies. In 1981 he had the opportunity to pitch in the world tournament. Unfortunately, he did not get to place in his class. In 1984 he was inducted into the Tri-County Hall of Fame, as a promoter and pitcher of horseshoes.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman. Time was well spent alone, and with many friends, hunting or going with the boat to many area lakes and the rivers. He enjoyed these "hobbies", and had many a tall tale about them.
On January 13, 1979, in Bethania Lutheran Church, he was united in marriage to Ida (Bellin) Fink, from Louisburg, MN. Over the years they made many trips around the area on motorcycle. Walter made two trips to Sturgis, SD, on his bike. He had motorcycles off and on all of his life. In the later years they made many trips to Arizona. They always drove these trips, and enjoyed their time there. Ida peacefully slipped away from Walter on September 24, 2009.
After Ida passed away, he went to live at the lake with Muriel and Dennis. While down there he liked to sit outside in the sunshine and watch the birds. He also liked to help in the vegetable garden, and occasionally drive the Oliver. He liked to go around the neighborhood visiting on his 4-wheeler. When Mary and Andrea came down for weekends, you could bet there were some exciting games of Pinochle. He would play cards anytime if anyone was willing. Various times during the week you would find him going to town to be with the "coffee clutch" to shake dice and visit. He was also known to hop in his truck and take off for a drive. He still loved driving. He thoroughly loved life, and lived it to the fullest. He was a dear, sweet man and will be missed for a long time to come.
Walter is survived by his daughter Muriel (Dennis) Kallstrom of Rosholt; granddaughters, Mary (Troy) Vosberg of Mapleton, ND and Andrea Kallstrom of West Fargo, ND; two stepsons, Larry (Sherry) Fink of Batesville, MS and Todd (Kathy) Fink of Louisburg, MN; many step grandchildren and step great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his first wife Margaret; son James Walter; his parents, Magnus and Mary Aspelund; his stepmother Signa; his brother Olaf; his half sisters, Lorraine Smith, Inez Aspelund and Marie Hughes; his second wife Ida; stepson Robert Fink; and many nieces, nephews and in-laws.