Herbert Gisselberg

Herbert K. Gisselberg, age 72 , of Sleepy Eye died on Saturday, December 13, 2008 at the Sleepy Eye Medical Center. Herb was born on April 22, 1936 in Portland, OR the son of John Gisselberg Marie (Tesch) Mahan. He moved with his family to Salinas, CA where he grew up and graduated from high school in 1955. After graduation, Herb entered the United States Air Force, serving in Denver, CO, Alaska Ellsworth, SD from February, 1956 until his honorable discharge in February 1960. While in Ellsworth, he fell in love with Gail J. Welker and they married on December 24, 1958. After the Air Force, Herb worked the South Dakota gold mines for a few years prior to moving to Fairmont, MN where he worked for 3M and attended school to work as a telephone lineman. Herb and Gail moved to Sleepy Eye in 1971 where he made his career with the Sleepy Eye Telephone Co. for 27 years, retiring in December of 1999. A devoted husband, Herb comforted his wife, Gail until her passing in 1996. After his retirement, his son Kris introduced him to Eva Steskal. In order to cut down on his twice weekly trips to Minneapolis, he asked Eva to be his wife. They married on July 8th, 2000 and Eva joined him in Sleepy Eye. Herb was a devoted husband, father, grandfather great-grandfather. A warm and caring man, he was loved and respected by all who knew him. Herb was a member of the Faith United Methodist Church. He enjoyed the outdoors (especially the cabin in the Black Hills built by Gail's father), target shooting and carving. Most of all though, he loved spending time with his grandchildren, sharing a wealth of stories experiences. In retirement, he was finally able to achieve his dream to travel the United States. Herb Eva made many memories in Disney, Miami, Salt Lake City, Nashville, Branson many areas of Texas, Colorado, Arizona, California, his favorites being the Grand Canyon, the Bahamas the Grand Ole Opry. Survivors include Herb's wife Eva of Sleepy Eye, step-children, Andrej Shannon Steskal of Hoffman Estates, IL, Michael Jennifer Steskal of Bloomington, John Cynthia Steskal of Norcross, GA, grandchildren, Allissa Stephen Beck, Ryan, Braedon Colton Gisselberg, step-grandchildren, Madison, Jack, Jacqueline Cole Steskal, great-grand daughter Courtney Beck, sisters, Patricia Bill DeLair Laverne Richard Hawkins all of Salinas, CA, brothers, Lee Gisselberg of Susanville, CA and Earl Mahan of Salinas, CA. He is also survived by nieces, nephews Gail's brothers sisters. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughters, Michelle Heather, wife Gail son Kris.