Walter Oslund

Memorial services for Walter B. Oslund will be held in Gillette, Wyoming, on February 9th at 7 p.m. at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and on February 10th at 2 p.m. at Blanche Beck memorial Chapel at Pioneer Manor Nursing Home. Mr. Oslund, age 86, died peacefully from natural causes on January 31st at Pioneer Manor. Cremation has taken place.Walt was born on April 13, 1919 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He was the fifth child of Emil and Bertha Oslund, both immigrants from Varmland, Sweden, who met in the United States. Walt?s father?s 45 year career was with the Union Pacific Railroad. Bertha was a devoted wife and mother who also owned and operated Lunn?s Cafeteria. The family was active in the Lutheran Church.Walt attended Cheyenne schools and served as student body president of both the Junior and Central High Schools. He lettered in all sports and was given a berth on the All-State Football Team his senior year. The same year he served as Commander of the Cadet R.O.T.C. Battalion.Walt always worked. Vacations were spent sacking potatoes and peeling onions for a local grocery store, acting as a plumber?s helper for P.S. Cook, waking at three o?clock in the morning to deliver milk for Vaughn Creamery, and helping at his Mom?s cafeteria. After graduation, he was a messenger, teller and bookkeeper at The Stockgrower?s National Bank.Walt?s college education, which began at The University of Nebraska, was interrupted by the military. He served as communications officer with the 91st Infantry Division in Africa and Italy and was honorably discharged as a Major in the U.S. Army. Walt received numerous achievement citations during the Italian Campaign and was awarded a Purple Heart.While stationed at Camp Adair in 1943, Walt met Frances Wilkinson at a Tri Delt party at Oregon State University in Corvalis. He returned to Oregon after the war and Walt and Frances (Wilk) were married on September 10th, 1945.The couple moved to his home state, and Walt went back to school to earn a degree in Accounting from The University of Wyoming.George Culver hired Walt as Office Manager for Plains Pipeline, a crude oil company operating in Weston County. Newcastle became their home for nearly thirty years and Plains Pipeline Company changed ownership several times. Walt advanced to the office of President and General Manager. Walt and Wilk joined the Episcopal Church in Newcastle and Walt was involved for many years as a lay reader and treasurer. He served on the City Council and Chamber of Commerce. Walt was elected and served as a Representative of Weston County in the Wyoming Legislature for eight years. He was active in Lions Club and a delegate to the national convention. He was a member of Masons, Shrine, The Casper Petroleum Club and RMOGA. He served on the Advisory Council for the College of Commerce and Industry and was recognized in 1972 as a Distinguished Alumni of The University of Wyoming. Walt was a Past President, of the Newcastle Country Club and a Director of The National Bank of Newcastle.In 1978 Walt was transferred to Denver, Colorado, headquarters of Western Crude Oil, as Vice President of Wesco Pipe Line Company. Walt and Wilk embarked upon the next thirty year chapter of their lives. At Staint Gabriel?s Episcopal Church, Walt again served as lay reader and treasurer. He participated in the Gounds, Gardens, and Golf Group and accepted a Columbarium Ministry which he shared with special friends. He also enjoyed the comraderie of the Literary Society. In 1983 Walt retired from Getty Trading and Transportation Company.In 2002 Walt and Wilk Oslund moved back to Notheastern Wyoming to be close to their oldest daughter. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary during 2005.Walt is survived by his wife, Frances (Wilk), daughter, Carol Sue Hansen and her husband Russ of Gillette and daughter Judy Aycock and her husband Herb of Denver, Colorado. A third daughter, Nancy, was predeceased. Walt is also survived by one brother, Glen Oslund of Cheyenne and one sister, Gertrude Frost of Barrington, Illinois and many nieces and nephews. His parents, a sister, Helen and Brothers Robert and Carl predeceased him.Condolences to the family: c/o Carol Sue Hansen, 1118 East Ninth street, Gillette, Wyoming 82716. Memorials would be appreciated to the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Building Fund. Arrangements and communications are being facilitated by The Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home, 210 West Fifth Street, Gillette, Wyoming 82716 or via the internet @ www.stevensonandsons.com.