Walter E. Roeschlein, 93, of Onamia (formerly Glencoe)
Saturday, Oct. 20, after 4½ months in hospice care, Walter E. Roeschlein, 93, went peacefully to his heavenly home, surrounded by his loving family. A former resident of both Long Lake and Glencoe, he currently lived in Onamia.
Walter Everett Roeschlein was born April 23, 1925, to Herbert and Margaret (Hoffman) Roeschlein, in rural Milaca. He was the eighth child in a family of nine. Mr. Roeschlein was baptized Feb. 8, 1926, in the Milaca Swedish Lutheran Church. In 1941, he was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church, Mora. He grew up working on the family farm, moving around the Milaca, Mora, and Isle area, finally settling in Haybrook Township. Mr. Roeschlein and his siblings were among the original founders/members of the current Haybrook Hayseeds 4-H Club. He attended country schools through eighth grade, and was the first member of his family to attend high school, graduating from Isle in 1942. This was one of his most valued accomplishments. After high school, he was drafted into the U.S. Army infantry, serving in the Pacific theater, and while there transferred into the 11th Airborne/Paratroopers at the end of WWII.
June 2, 1947, he married the love of his life, Edna Carlson, and their marriage was blessed with five children.
During the course of his adult life, Mr. Roeschlein worked at Sween Brothers Dairy in Wayzata for seven years, was an amazing builder and finishing carpenter for years, and ended his working as an insurance salesman for AAL for 25 years, serving the churches in Glencoe and the surrounding area.
Upon his retirement in 1987, he and Edna moved back home to the Isle/Wahkon area, building a new home on Mille Lacs Lake. They resided there together until Edna’s death in 2011. In 2014, fire destroyed the lake home and Mr. Roeschlein moved to his final residence east of Onamia.
He was also an active member of every church he belonged to wherever he resided. Most recently, Mr. Roeschlein was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Isle the past 31 years, serving for a number of those years as a Sunday School teacher, treasurer of the church council, and singing in the choir.
As to his character, Mr. Roeschlein was a kind, hard-working, humble, and friendly man; he was also a loving and devoted husband and father. He valued family and his faith above all else, and treated everyone he met with sincere respect and true compassion. Mr. Roeschlein enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, woodworking, helping others, and hugs. He always managed to find the ‘bright spot’ in every situation he encountered. All who were willing to play a game or two with him also noted him to be a keen and ‘ruthless’ cribbage player.
Mr. Roeschlein will be sorely missed by all who knew him, but will be comforted by the abundance of loving memories he blessed us with during his long and productive life.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years Edna; his parents, and his in-laws, Calvin and Edith Carlson; seven siblings and their spouses; son-in-law, Arnold Hall; two nieces and three nephews.
Mr. Roeschlein is survived by his children, Cheryl (Gary) Anderson of Wahkon, Kathleen Roeschlein (devoted friend Mary Ann Timm) of Apple Valley, Craige (Nancy) Roeschlein of Onamia, Chris Hall of Beresford S.D., and Jon (Sharon) Roeschlein of Wheaton; his younger brother Harold (Connie) Roeschlein of Wahkon; 11 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and a multitude of friends.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 27 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Isle with Rev Mark Maunula officiating. Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26 and one hour prior to the service Saturday, all at the church. Interment will be in the Sunset Cemetery in Isle.
Arrangements are by the Akkerman Ingebrand Funeral Home of Mora.
Condolences may be posted at www.aifuneralhome.com
