Obituary of Robert Emmanuel Wahlsten

Robert "Bob" Emmanuel Wahlsten. Born September 19, 1919 to Charles and Signe Wahlsten of Tower, MN passed peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of August 14 2017, at Interfaith Care Center, Carlton MN. Robert was truly a kind and gentle man and has moved on to be with the love of his life and wife of 64 years, Ethel Lou Wahlsten Robert grew up on a farmstead 2 miles south of Tower, Minnesota. He attended a one-room schoolhouse in Kugler, Minnesota starting first grade at the age of 4 and graduating at the age of 16 from Tower-Soudan High School. Robert served in the army in Southern England at the regimental Hospital between the three major airfields south of the Thames River as a surgical technician/assistant, having achieved the rank of TSGT. After returning from the WWII, Robert married the love of his life Ethel Lou Carlon on April 26 1947 and adopted her son John Courser. He subsequently had three sons with Ethel Lou, Bruce, Rudy and Ronald. Soon afterwards, he took the civil service test and qualified for a job at the Duluth Zoo. After years of hard work he became the Duluth Zoo manager and retired from that job in 1984. During his tenure at the zoo, Robert assisted in a life-saving event by shooting a polar bear to keep it from killing a fellow Zoo employee, Circa Oct 1977 (The Bridge). He subsequently received a "Resolution of Appreciation and Gratitude" from Robert Beaudin Mayor of the city of Duluth. Robert was an avid hunter and fisherman. He taught all of his sons the enjoyment of being outdoors and appreciating the natural resources of northern Minnesota. He enjoyed being outdoors working, making sure there was always enough wood for his parents cook stove and keeping woodpiles high at the cabin on Island Lake that he and Ethel Lou (wife) and sons enjoyed. Robert spent his later years in Fredenberg Township after his son Bruce built a house for him. He truly enjoyed this part of his retirement. Robert instilled the beliefs of being honest and always doing the right thing in all of his sons. Robert was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Signe, siblings Ervin, Genevieve and Ronald. Ethel Lou (wife), sons John Wahlsten (Susie) and Rudy Wahlsten (Susan). Robert is survived by his sons Bruce, Ronald and 10 grandchildren. After losing his balance, he lived at Interfaith Care center (nursing home), Carlton MN. Much appreciation and gratitude to the staff and friends at IFCC. They made his life worth living. Also, appreciation for the efforts of St Croix hospice. Thank you to all. Memorial services will be at Interfaith Care Center community room, Carlton, MN from 2-4pm Saturday, September 23, 2017. Military Honors will be provided by the Duluth Honor Guard.