Gale M. Chilson

The Rev. Gale M. (Gus) Chilson was born in Preston, MN to Andrew and Erma (Petersson) Chilson on Dec 18, 1930. He attended school in Preston, graduating as Salutatorian in the class of 1948. Following graduation he started college at St. Olaf. After attending college he worked in the lab at Rochester Dairy for 3 years. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1951 serving 4 years as a radio mechanic on St. Lawrence Island in Alaska. After being honorably discharged he enrolled at Luther College in Decorah, IA. He graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1959 with a triple major in History, German, and Bible. He then went on to Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN graduating with a Bachelor of Divinity degree. Gale was ordained at Christ Lutheran Church in Preston, MN in June of 1963. He was called to Redeemer Lutheran Church in White Bear Lake, MN. It was while he was there he made a "new member call" on the Knutsons and met their daughter, Jane Ann. Gale and Jane (Knutson) were married on Sept 26, 1964 at Redeemer Lutheran. Pastor Chilson was called to Trinity Lutheran Church in Ostrander, MN in 1965 where he served 18 years. It was while they were in Ostrander that their two children Rachel and Christopher were born. Pastor Chilson was then called to St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Lime Springs, IA in 1984. He served there until his retirement in 1993. He and Jane moved to Rochester, MN. They enjoyed spending winters out west.
Gale passed away at Maple Manor Nursing Home in Rochester from complications of Parkinson's disease diagnosed in 1984. Gale was preceded in death by his Parents, Father in-law Harley Knutson and Brother in-law Richard Wildgrube. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jane, Daughter Rachel and Son in-law Denny Smith of East Bethel, MN, Son Christopher and Daughter in-law Sandy of Lime Springs, IA, Grandson Spencer Smith and Granddaughter Anna Gale Smith, his Sisters Joy Adkins of Rochester and Garaine Wildgrube of Wyoming, MN, Mother inlaw Dolly Knutson, Brothers in-law George Adkins of Albert Lea, MN and Jim Knutson of Kabetogama, MN, 3 nephews, 5 nieces and his Yorkshire Terrier Eddie.
Memorial service will be held Saturday, January 30th at 12pm at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 559 20th St SW Rochester, MN. Lunch and visitation will follow in the church fellowship hall.
Arrangements are being made through Mahn Funeral Home of Rochester, MN.