Elmer Hedstrom, age 99 of Rhinelander, died peacefully in his sleep at the Cumberland Heights Assisted Living facility on Sunday, December 6, 2009. He was born on October 10, 1910, in Rhinelander; the son of Swedish immigrants, Emil and Anna (Erickson) Hedstrom. Elmer graduated from Rhinelander High School in 1929. He married the former Olga Larsen in September of 1940 and together they raised a family of five children. Elmer was employed by the Rhinelander Paper Company for all his working life. Always an avid ourdoorsman, he also worked as a fishing and hunting guide for several years. In retirement, he took up the sport of golf and one of his proudest moments was hitting a hole in one. Elmer had many passions. He loved to fish, hunt, pick berries, play card games, and dance. He had a great interest in Native American lore. He had the most astonishing memory, and was the consummate storyteller, regaling his family with tales of the ones that got away, or the great hunts of many years ago. He was a member of Faith Baptist Church and also had been a member of Trinity Lutheran Church for many years. Elmer is survived by his loving children, Carol Gissing of Greenfield, Janet Eubanks of Madison, Muriel Hedstrom of Rhinelander, Alan (Janet) Hedstrom of Stoughton, and Karen (Daniel) Waldon of Mansfield, MA; his dear grandchildren, Anna and Lisa Waldon and Kai Hedstrom; his great niece, Jill (Bob) Chleboun and their children, Katie, Nick, and Holly of Lincolnwood, IL; and his dear nephew's widow, Sandra Hedstrom of Chicago, IL. He is also survived by a special friend, Milly Wiesneske, whose companionship was a great gift. He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Olga, with whom he shared 57 years of marriage; his brother, Leonard; his sister, Nina; his nephew, Norman; and many friends whom he outlived. Funeral services for Elmer will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, December 11, 2009, at the Carlson Funeral Home (369-1414 / www.carlsonfh.com) with Pastor Mark Ring of Faith Baptist Church officiating. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until the time of service on Friday at the funeral home. Private interment with the family will take place on Saturday in Forest Home Cemetery. Memorials honoring Elmer's love of nature may be made to the Nature Conservancy. Elmer's family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the wonderful staff at Cumberland Heights Assisted Living; Dr. Michael Henry, for his dedicated medical care over the years; and the staff of Ministry Hospice, who so caringly looked after him these last few days. Also, to all who loved and appreciated Elmer and prayed for him and his family. Elmer had a long and rich life. He cherished his role as father and had a great love and appreciation of nature, which he passed on to all his children. He regarded his wife, Olga, as his rock. Throughout many health setbacks in the past few years, his indomitable spirit buoyed him. May he rest in peace.
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