Gilda Steinfeldt

BUFFALO CENTER - Gilda Steinfeldt, 74, of Buffalo Center, died Tuesday (Oct. 23, 2007) at the Timely Mission Nursing Home in Buffalo Center.

Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Buffalo Center, with Pastor Perry Aalgaard officiating. Burial will be at St Matthews Cemetery in Stevens.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the Winter Funeral Home in Buffalo Center, and one hour before the service at the church.

Gilda Darlene Melz Steinfeldt was born to Hugo and Bertha (Miller) Melz on Dec. 4, 1932 in Stevens.

She was baptized and confirmed at St. Mathews Lutheran Church in Stevens. She graduated from Lakota School in 1950 and attended Waldorf College in Forest City, graduating in May of 1952. She taught school in Livermore and Ledyard for a couple years.

Gilda married Charles K. Steinfeldt on Nov. 28, 1953 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Elmore, Minn. To this union four children were born, Charles Jeffrey, Jonathan, Monte and Shelly. From 1956 through 1990, Charles and Gilda ran a farming operation in Stevens and from 1979 to 1993 they also operated the Steinfeldt Standard Station in Buffalo Center. In 1992, the couple moved to town in Buffalo Center.

Gilda was a member of the VFW Auxiliary, Bethlehem Lutheran Church being active with various church activities, and also served on the library board. She enjoyed her grandchildren, reading, quilting, bird watching, and playing the piano.

Gilda is survived by her three sons, Charles Jeffrey and his wife, Lori, of Johnston; Jonathan and his wife, Zoe, of Arlington Heights, Ill.; Monte and his wife, Deb, of Buffalo Center; one daughter, Shelly and her husband, Mike Hamson, of Kiester, Minn.; 10 grandchildren: Justin Steinfeldt, Brianna Steinfeldt, Alannah Larson, Taylor Steinfeldt, Eddy Steinfeldt, Sydney Larson, Reece Larson, Jeremiah Steinfeldt, Christopher Hamson and Micah Hamson; along with several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her two brothers, Harlan and his wife, Connie, of Lakota; and Arno and his wife, Opal, of Des Moines; brother-in-law, Richard Steinfeldt and his wife, Delores of Forest City; and two sisters-in-law: Iris Pitkin of Charles City; and Eloise Hines of New Hampton.

Gilda was preceded in death by her husband, Charles on Nov. 2, 1992, and both parents, Hugo and Bertha in 1973.

Online tributes or personal e-mails may be left at www.winterfuneralhome.com

Winter Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 641-585-2858. www.winterfuneralhome.com