L. W. Asplund

L. W. "Bill" Asplund, 87, of Hot Springs, SD, died December 27, 2006, at the VA Medical Center in Hot Springs, SD.

       Bill was born on December 24, 1919, in Wilton, ND, to Helmer and Severia Asplund.  He grew up and attended school in Wilton.  Bill worked in his father's underground lignite coal mine before enlisting in the US Navy on December 8, 1942.  Bill was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1948 and has been an American Legion member since.  He drove truck for many years for Allied Van Lines and Consolidated Freightways.  He was proud of his driving record and safety awards.

       On September 16, 1950, he married Gertie Mattson in Monroe, WA.  Bill and Gertie lived on the farm at Wilton until 1961.  They then moved into Wilton where they owned and operated the Asplund Pioneer Home for the aged for 16 years before returning to farm life.  They moved to Colorado in the late 1970's and most recently have made their home in Hot Springs, SD.  On April 29, 2005 Hot Springs proclaimed Bill and Gertie "Community Treasures" for their contributions to the arts and exceptional connection to people.  Whatever community, Bill was involved with his church.  Serving the church in many capacities from Sunday School Superintendent to Board Member was always important to him.

       Bill was founding member of Company C of the 7th Cavalry.  Known as the "Muleskinner", he and his mules traveled to many parades and Cavalry events.  Bill with his wife Gertie, was a stained glass artist.  Stained glass windows in the chapel at St. John's Lutheran Church are one of their most ambitious and beautiful glass projects.

       A gentle and loving man, Bill loved life, his Lord, his family and especially children, dogs and horses!

       Bill is survived by his wife, Gertie M. Asplund of Hot Springs, SD; two sons, Brian (Beverly) Asplund of Rapid City, SD, and Joel (Ady) Asplund of New Castle, CO; three daughters, Linda (Ted) Bernklau of Tulsa, OK, Twila (Kenneth) Gieser of Mandan, ND, and Wendla Asplund of Craig, CO; two brothers, Darrell (Betty) Asplund of Rochester, WA, and Paul Asplund of Bismarck, ND; four sisters, Beverly Bloch of Chelan, WA, Delrene Mills of Bismarck, ND, Peggy VandenBurg of Linton, ND, and Natalie Pfau of Auburn, CA; nineteen grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren.

       He was preceded in death by two sons, Thomas and Gerald "Jerry" Asplund.

      Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Friday, December 29, 2006, at McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs, SD.

       Funeral services will be held 10:00 am, Saturday, December 30, 2006, at the Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home Auditorium in Hot Springs, SD, with Chaplain Lloyd Neilson and Pastor Kevin Clark officiating.  

       Funeral services will be held 10:00 am, Tuesday, January 2, 2007, at Parkway Funeral Services in Bismarck, ND, with Pastor Paul Schauer officiating.

       Committal services will be held 1:00 pm, Tuesday, January 2, 2007, at Sunne Lutheran Cemetery in Wilton, ND.

       In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to the Sunne Lutheran Church in Wilton, ND.