Robert L. Hatlestad, 88, of Glencoe
Robert Lewis Hatlestad, 88, of Glencoe, died Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, at Glencoe Regional Health Care Long Term Care.
Funeral services were held Thursday, Jan. 26, at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Glencoe with the Rev. Michael Fritz officiating. Lon Roach was the organist. Special music by Roger and Linda Landon was “In the Garden.” Congregational hymns were “How Great Thou Art” and “Amazing Grace.”
Military honors were by Glencoe VFW Post 5102 and Glencoe American Legion Post 95.
Casket bearers were Jason Hatlestad, Aaron Hatlestad, Rory Sanders, Ozzie Chapman, Carl Iliff, Al Robeck, Earl Dammann and John Rivers.
Interment was in the Glencoe City Cemetery.
Robert Lewis Hatlestad was born May 9, 1928, in Olivia, the son of Lewis and Gladys (Boggess) Hatlestad. He was baptized and confirmed in his faith in Olivia. He was educated in Olivia and graduated with the Olivia High School class of 1946. Upon graduating, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on June 24, 1946, and served his country on the USS Midway, the biggest aircraft carrier of the time, as an aviation airman aerographer’s mate. He received an honorable discharge on May 3, 1948, in Norfolk, Virginia. He furthered his education by attending Macalester College in St. Paul, then transferred to Mankato State University, received a Bachelor of Science degree. Later he attained a master’s degree, also at Mankato State.
On June 7, 1953, Mr. Hatlestad was united in marriage to Marion Sanders at the English Lutheran Church in Faribault. They made their home in Westbrook and, in 1956, moved to Glencoe. Their marriage was blessed with four children, Robert, Jay, Stephanie and David. The couple shared over 53 years of marriage before Marion Hatlestad died on Oct. 1, 2006. On July 26, 2009, he was united in marriage to Delores (Birkholz) Gustafson in Minnetonka. The couple shared over seven years of marriage, and enjoyed living in both Glencoe and Colorado Springs.
Mr. Hatlestad was a teacher at Glencoe High School and taught industrial arts from 1956 to 1986. He also worked part time and summers at Glencoe Manufacturing and, toward the end of his teaching career, he saw a need for a locksmith in the community and started his own locksmith business, which he continued after retiring from teaching. He was a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ. He also was a member of the Masons, the Shriners, many teaching organizations, Glencoe VFW Post 5101 and Glencoe American Legion Post 95.
Mr. Hatlestad was hardworking and supportive. He enjoyed genealogy, flower gardening, watching the birds, taking family vacations up north, reading (his favorite subject being World War II) and crossword puzzles. He had every gadget under the sun, whether it worked or not, and would often be caught humming. He was a night owl who was always smiling, unless a despised squirrel caught his attention. He cherished the time spent with family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Delores Gustafson of Glencoe; children, Robert Hatlestad Jr. of Alexandria, Jay (Cindy) Hatlestad of Plymouth, Stephanie Hatlestad (husband Mark Molzen) of Minnetonka and David (Aimee) Hatlestad of St. Louis Park; grandchildren, Julie Hatlestad, Jason (Becca) Hatlestad, Macy Hatlestad, Jaya Hatlestad, Ava Molzen, Elise Hatlestad and Aaron Hatlestad; great-granddaughter, Blakely Hatlestad; stepdaughters, Carol (Jim) Hetrick of Coventry, Connecticut, and Gail Gustafson (husband Jeff Bickford) of Colorado Springs, Colorado; stepson, Keith (Deb) Gustafson of Lake Arrowhead, Georgia; brother-in-law, Ray (Mary-Ann) Sanders of Faribault; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Gladys Hatlestad; first wife, Marion Hatlestad; and brother-in-law and his wife, Paul and Pearl Sanders.
Arrangements were with the Johnson-McBride Funeral Chapel in Glencoe. Online obituaries and guest book are available at www.hantge.com.
