His funeral will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 19, 2013, at American Lutheran Church in Webster. The Rev. Jan FitzGibbon will officiate. Burial will be in the Webster Cemetery.
Visitation will be Monday from 4 to 7 p.m., with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service at Fiksdal Funeral Service in Webster.
Fiksdalfuneral.com
Charles Wilfred Hallstrom was born Tuesday, Dec. 13, 1921, to Carl "Jack" and Hilda (Lundby) Hallstrom at Peabody Hospital in Webster. He was baptized and confirmed at Hosanger Lutheran Church near Lily. As a young boy, Charles attended country grade school at Highland District No. 186, near the Hallstrom family farm in Highland Township south of Webster. He graduated from Webster High School in 1939, and after his high school education, he stayed home to help his father farm. On Sept. 11, 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he attended flight school and obtained rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He was honorably discharged Dec. 2, 1947.
On April 4, 1944, he married Margaret Hempel in Tallahassee, Fla. The couple returned to Webster, and a short time later, moved out to the Hallstrom family farm. Charles worked for many years as a state radio dispatcher along with his job at the ASCS office and farming. He retired in 1986, but did not slow down. He was a farmhand for Harman Baukol, drove cars for Hahler and Sewell Automotive, mowed lawn for the city golf course, drove people to doctor appointments and delivered flowers for the Blossom Shoppe.
He was a member of American Lutheran Church, where he served on the church council and was on the Highland District No. 186 school board for many years. He and Margaret shared a great love for each other through thick and thin. Together they loved square dancing and golfing. Charles was a "jack of all trades" and lived to help others.
Charles passed away Thursday, March 14, 2013, in Webster at age 91 years, three months and one day.
He is survived by two sons: Robert (Kathy) Hallstrom of Apollo, Pa., and the Rev. Tom (Marlene) Hallstrom of Wichita, Kan.; four daughters: Beth (Doug) Bohlen of Albuquerque, N.M.; Cathy (Ryan) Barnhardt of Milbank; Lora (Craig) Haugaard of Aberdeen; and Christy (Greg) Wallum of Lexington, Ky.; one brother, the Rev. Fred Hallstrom of New Orleans, La.; 14 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife (10-5-10); one son; one brother; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.