WAYNE "GUS" GISLASON

Wayne Leroy Gislason, of Ogilvie, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 23, 2022 at Welia Health in Mora.  He was 68 years old.

Lovingly known as Gus, he was born on February 23, 1954, in Roseau, Minnesota to parents Lawrence and Bertha (Kompelien) Gislason.  He grew up on a farm outside of Roseau and attended Roseau High School, graduating in 1972.  For a number of years, Gus worked as an aerial photographer, taking overhead photographs of farms, and then traveling around selling them to families.
 
Gus was united in marriage to Anita Danger on August 13, 1977, at Christ the King Catholic church in Cambridge.  They soon made their home in the Ogilvie area. In the mid 90’s, Gus attended Thief River Falls technical school where he received his training as a licensed airplane mechanic.  In October of 1997, Gus began working for Northwest Airlines as a mechanic.  In 2003, he took a job with Cirrus Aircraft where he worked in experimental design and was instrumental in building a new jet design.  In April of 2011, he returned as a mechanic with Delta Airlines where he continued to work until taking retirement in the summer of 2020.  

Gus was a man of vast and varied interests and was always willing to try something new.  He loved being outdoors, especially deer hunting, target shooting, riding motorcycle, and playing golf.  He enjoyed putting together intricate model airplanes and tinkering with things. Gus also enjoyed listening to rock music, shooting pool, and creating drawings and artwork.  

Most of all, Gus loved his family.  He adored spending time with his girls and encouraging their interest.  Becoming “Papa” to Mara was his greatest joy.  He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

Gus was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife Anita; daughters, Stacy Gislason (Ryan Peterson) and Elly Gislason; granddaughter Mara; siblings, Luverne (Marion) Gislason, Allen "Al" Gislason, and Shirley Johnson; mother-in-law Elaine Occhino; many other relatives and friends.

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held from 1:00 - 4:00 pm on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at the Hamilton Funeral Homes- Akkerman Chapel in Mora.

A private family inurnment will be in the Rice Lake Cemetery in Braham.

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