Del L. Salquist, age 77, of Spooner, Wisconsin, passed away on Wednesday, November 27, 2019, at Essentia-St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota.

Del Lewis Salquist was born July 3, 1942, in Spooner, the son of Earl and Alice (Johnson) Salquist.  He was raised in Spooner and graduated from high school in 1960.  Del joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Anacostia Naval Support Facility located near Washington, D.C. as a member of a Flight Crew.  He often reminisced of his service time as well as the opportunity of transporting well known passengers, two of which were Jackie Kennedy and Dwight Eisenhower.  Del was honorably discharged and returned to Spooner where he began employment for years with for the Wisconsin Conservation Department as a trapper in Game Management.  He eventually began employment with Chicago Northwestern Railroad operating out of Spooner for 25 years as a Conductor/Brakeman before retiring. Del continued his working career with Louisiana-Pacific in Hayward, Wisconsin, in a variety of positions from Quality Control Division, Personnel Division, Environmental Management and, prior to retirement from LP, he held an employee training position allowing travel to mills throughout the United States and Canada. 

On January 1, 1989, Del was joined in marriage to Connie Price-Borden at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spooner.  Del’s passion was his family’s century-old farm property that he maintained immaculately.  He mowed acres of property and worked with his family to create rock walls and flower gardens to enhance the property’s beauty even more.  Family was very important to him and enjoyed following the grandchildren’s activities closely.  He also enjoyed playing cribbage and cards with family and long-lasting friends.  He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Spooner and was a volunteer for the Spooner Railroad Memories Museum and Railroad Park Committee.  He was very proud of his Swedish heritage and was known for his witty sense of humor and excellent memory. He felt fortunate to travel to many countries and to every state in the United States.

Del is survived by his wife of 30 years, Connie; his two children, AJ (Betsy) Salquist and Heather Salquist, both of Spooner; step-daughter, Shauna (Erik) Lindstrom of Spooner; five grandchildren, DJ (Krista), Emma, Britta, Hadlea and Trent; three great grandchildren, Orrin, Magnus and Avis; one sister, Gayle (Don) Okonek of Myrtle Creek, OR; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and many beloved pets.

A memorial service celebrating Del’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 6th, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spooner with Pastor Heather Kistner officiating.  A visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 5th, at the Spooner Funeral Home as well as from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Friday at the church.  Military honors will be accorded by the State of Wisconsin Military Funeral Honors Program.  A private interment will be held in the Salquist Family Cemetery. 

Last Update: Dec 01, 2019 10:27 am CST