Gavin Spilde

Friday, September 11, 2015 1:28 pm

Gavin Spilde, 88, of Decorah, died Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015, at the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah. Services were at 11 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 10, at First Lutheran Church in Decorah, with Rev. Chad Huebner and Rev. Doug Bryce officiating. Organist was Marcia Engebretson. Flutist was Amanda Maki. Hymns were “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” “Amazing Grace” and “How Great Thou Art.” Special music was “In the Garden.” Interment was in Phelps Cemetery, Decorah. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah. Military rites at cemetery were by Decorah memorial groups, Decorah. Casket bearers were Alex Spilde, Josh Spilde, Bryan Spilde, David Spilde, Brad Spilde, Brian Franzen and Arden Gjere.

Gavin LeRoy Spilde was born Aug. 19, 1927, the son of Henry and Hannah (Gjetley) Spilde in Canoe Township, rural Decorah. Gavin was baptized and confirmed at the First Lutheran Church in Decorah. He attended Decorah Community Schools and then went to work for Iowa Manufacturing in Cedar Rapids. He was united in marriage to Esther Brandt July 13, 1950, at the First Lutheran Church in Decorah. He served during the Korean Conflict in Japan. After the service he worked for the local Ford and Chevrolet Garage doing auto body work. In the late 1950s, Gavin started Spilde Body Shop, which he operated until 1992. He was a very meticulous body man and was always proud of his work. In his retirement, Gavin enjoyed woodworking, making furniture and fishing. He enjoyed bowling, feeding the birds, attending local sporting events and was an avid Hawkeye football and basketball fan. Gavin was a member of the Christian Life Center and was a very faithful church-goer and loved to serve God. Gavin dearly loved his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be missed greatly.

Gavin is survived by his wife, Esther Spilde, Decorah; three children: Carolyn Spilde, Burr Oak, Larry (fiancé, Carol Wolfs) Spilde, Decorah, Marian (Gary) Kuhn, Decorah; five grandchildren: Alex (fiancé, Sarah Umland) Spilde, Minneapolis, Minn.; Josh Spilde, Decorah; Bryan (Laura) Spilde, Decorah; David (Lisa) Spilde, Seattle, Wash.; and Brad Spilde, Coralville; six great-grandchildren: Noah, Rachel and Madden Spilde; Micah, Aliyah and Chaim Spilde; two step-grandchildren, Becky and Matthew Kuhn; one brother, Orval (Bernadean) Spilde, Marion; one sister-in-law, Joyce Brandt, Decorah; along with many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and -nephews.

Gavin was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Hannah (Gjetley) Spilde; one grandson, Christopher Spilde, July 25, 2010; his siblings: Lester Spilde killed in WWII, Leonard (Grace) Spilde, Helen (Charles) McConaughay, Gladys (Elmer) Borsheim, Harold (Grace) Spilde, Myron (Crystal) Spilde, and Bessie (Julius) Huseby; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Lewis and Mabel (Dawley) Brandt; Esther’s siblings: Mervin (Margaret) Brandt, George (Artice) Brandt and Earl (Rita) Brandt.