Gilma Estrem

Gilma O. Estrem was born April 22, 1917, on the family farm in Sogn Valley, Warsaw Township, Goodhue County, Minnesota, to Thom and Sina (Langager) Sparstad. She was baptized and confirmed at Vang Lutheran Church and attended District 128 Country School. After her education she helped on the farm and worked as a housekeeper for others. She married Edwin H. Estrem on November 5, 1938, at the parsonage in Dennison. After marriage they farmed Edwin’s home place near Dennison. Gilma and Edwin always farmed together, and during the 1970's Gilma also worked at Sheldahl. She also did a lot of baby sitting over the years. Edwin passed away on February 10, 1981, and Gilma remained on the farm until moving to Lakeville in 2001.

Gilma was a lifelong member of Vang Lutheran Church where she had been very active. She enjoyed counted cross stitch, reading, jigsaw puzzles, sewing, gardening and flowers. Gilma was also a talented quilter - making 436 quilt tops for church quilting. She loved her family dearly and was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Survivors include 3 children and their spouses: Susan and Donald Grade of Janesville, Wisconsin, Gary and Eunice Estrem of Lakeville, Harlan and Donna Estrem of Duluth; 8 grandchildren: Amy Estrem, Kathleen (Gene) Dassow, Susan (Jim) Waters, Todd (Kathy) Estrem, Debbie (Gary) Peters, Jason (Kennon) Estrem, Heidi (Andrew) Jorgensen, Christina (Nathan) Early; 13 great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her son Edwin Jr., an infant granddaughter, her sister Sedora Mork, and her brothers Helmer, Clarence and Theodore Sparstad.

Gilma passed away Wednesday morning, October 1, 2008, at the Three Links Care Center in Northfield at the age of 91.

Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Saturday, October 4, 2008, at Vang Lutheran Church in rural Dennison with Rev. Terje Hausken officiating. Music will be provided by Maxine Amundson. Interment will be in Vang Lutheran Church Cemetery. Casket bearers will be Jason Estrem, Todd Estrem, Richard Johnson, Donald Mork, Gary Peters, Ernie Sparstad. Visitation will be 4-7PM Friday, October 3, 2008, at the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home in Northfield. Visitation will continue at the church on Saturday one hour prior to the funeral.

Memorials are preferred to Vang Lutheran Church or Vang Lutheran Cemetery.

Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.