by Cori Hilsgen
news@thenewsleaders.com
Not everybody grows to be 90 years old. Since Bob Wahlstrom is fortunate enough to have done so, his family thought it was important to celebrate the momentous occasion.
They planned an open-house party for Bob for Oct. 17 at the American Legion in St. Joseph.
Wahlstrom and his wife, Ellen, recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary and have lived in St. Joseph since 1956. Through the years, they have met and become friends with a lot of St. Joseph residents.
Ellen said at first Bob was overwhelmed by the thought of a party, but then he started to look forward to seeing her brothers and their wives, nieces and nephews, friends from Brainerd and more.
About 175 people attended the birthday party. Bob hadn’t seen some of his friends and relatives for quite some time.
All of Wahlstrom’s grandchildren and family came to help him celebrate, so Ellen said it was quite a tribute to Bob as a father and grandfather.
Christine and Sharon Wahlstrom made a video of Bob’s 90 years of life, and granddaughter Meghan created a recipe book of his recipes that are family favorites, and other family recipes which have been shared at family gatherings.
Several guests performed tributes to Bob including his grandchildren and Sharon M. Wahlstrom performing a musical tribute of Grandpa Wahlstrom’s life story, old friends from Brainerd singing Happy Birthday in the Swedish language (because Bob is Swedish), and a nephew, Siv Wahlstrom, reciting a Swedish reading.
Arctic explorer, writer and researcher Will Steger also attended the party. Bob’s son, Peter, has done some writing for Steger about his Arctic, Antarctic and other expeditions.
Ellen said he has become a good friend of their family.
Guests were treated to pizza and birthday cake catered by Sliced on College Avenue.
After the party, John Ratzloff, who is a professional photographer, gathered everyone together for some family photos.
The Wahlstroms’ nine children and spouses include Robert and Arlene Wahlstrom, Randy and Sharon Wahlstrom, Karen and Tim Burdick, Christine Wahlstrom, Dan Wahlstrom, Peter Wahlstrom, Paul and Brenda Wahlstrom, Stephen and Marcia Wahlstrom, Jon and Sharon Wahlstrom. Also included was Ratzloff, who “joined the family” years ago, Ellen added.
Their 16 grandchildren include Meghan, Eric, Christi, Alex, Courtney, Sydney, Tyler, Tanner, Aurora, Rachel, Samantha, Sophia, Sarah and Chelsey Wahlstrom, and Peter and Gratia Ratzloff.
Bob and Ellen also have a pet cat named Miss Maggie McGee.
Bob grew up in the Brainerd area and graduated from Washington High School. He had an older brother and a younger sister, who are both now deceased.
Bob volunteered for the draft and served in the Army Airforce 440th Signal Battalion Occupational Forces in Japan during World War II from 1945-47.
After serving in the military, Bob earned an associate’s degree in business/management. He worked in lumber-business management first in southern Minnesota and then at the St. Joseph Lumber Co.
During his 90 years, Bob has enjoyed the company of many good friends and a fun social life.
Being in the lumber business, he was involved in the growth of St. Joseph that was taking place when they moved to the city.
Bob said he really liked and respected his business peers and the entrepreneurial spirit that was driving the growth of the city. He has very good memories of the people he worked with to promote St. Joseph. Many of those people became very close friends.
“It (St. Joseph) was a village when we moved here and it has grown, but not too fast to lose its small-town ambiance,” he said. “It’s a good place to raise a family and live out our retirement years.”
Bob Wahlstrom (center) pages through a recipe book created by his granddaughter Meghan Wahlstrom at a recent 90 birthday party celebrated at the American Legion in St. Joseph. Bob and his wife, Ellen, have lived in St. Joseph for 59 years.
Bob Wahstrom’s son, Paul Wahlstrom, (left) visits with Arctic explorer Will Steger, who is a family friend.
Bob Wahlstrom’s friends from Brainerd sing Happy Birthday to him in Swedish at his 90 birthday party recently held at the American Legion in St. Joseph.
Bob and Ellen Wahlstrom’s grandchildren perform a musical tribute, celebrating Bob’s life story, at his recent 90 birthday party celebrated at the American Legion in St. Joseph. Bob and his wife, Ellen, have lived in St. Joseph for 59 years and have 16 grandchildren.
Bob Wahlstrom gets a piece of birthday cake at his recent 90 birthday party celebrated at the American Legion in St. Joseph.
