Walter E. Mansergh

Walter Edward Mansergh, 90, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 20, 2013 at his current residence, Primrose Retirement Communities, in Duluth, MN. He was born at home in West Duluth, weighing twelve pounds, on February 25, 1923. His parents were Walter Clifton and Genevieve (Emmett) Mansergh.

Walt was a proud 1941 graduate of Denfeld High School and attended Duluth Junior College for a while where he studied Art. As a member of “the Greatest Generation” he served with the U.S. Army in the South Pacific during WWII. Upon returning from war with jobs scarce in Duluth, he went to live with family in St. Paul where he worked for Western Electric for about a year. He then returned to Duluth and began an apprenticeship as a machinist at U.S. Steel, Gary Works. He worked at U.S. Steel as a machinist and a Foreman until its closure, totaling about 27 years. He then went on to work at Hallett Wire until retirement.

On June 3, 1950, Walt was united in marriage to Hazel Gotland, also from West Duluth. They spent the first 41 years living on Park Point where they raised their daughter and he remodeled their home many times! Tired of waiting for the Aerial Lift Bridge, he built a home in the Canyon area and they moved there after his retirement.

He showed artistic talent at quite a young age. Around the age of twelve he carved the Seven Dwarfs from Ivory Soap and painted them. As a young man he water colored wild animals, which he in turn gave to his mother who was an animal lover, too, made many drawings and painted. Throughout his life he loved woodworking, carving and painting. He carved ducks with extreme detail and painted them. He also carved busts of pets into blocks of wood, which became wonderful memories for those pet owners. He remodeled many kitchens and bathrooms for friends and neighbors.

Walt was passionate about nature. He loved hunting and fishing. He could be found on many an early Saturday morning heading to the Brule River for some trout fishing. He fished on a five week trip to Alaska in the ‘60’s-even fishing on a lake in the Yukon never fished by non-natives before him. He and some buddies built a hunting shack on land owned by his cousin near Goodland, MN, where many a good times were had. For many years he went duck hunting in Canada with a brother-in-law and nephew.

He was a hardworking, fun-loving man. He loved to tease and loved it even more if you teased him back. He was loyal and true, kind and giving. Besides loving his family, he also enjoyed a Petri now and again and was known to say, “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere!”

He was a long time member of Elks, the American Legion and the VFW.

After 52 years of marriage, Hazel passed away in 2002. Walt married Virginia Hay Karjalainen in 2004. Together they moved to Primrose in April 2011, where he remained until his death.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel, his parents and his sister and brother-in-law, Lillian and Omer Wick.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and John Jaros; his two grandchildren, Daniel and Elizabeth Jaros all of Brighton, MI; his wife Virginia; three nieces, Phylis Wick Pfister, Natalie Wick Brunette, Janice Wick and their families, as well as Hazel’s twin sister, Helen Kaake and Hazel's six nephews and their families.

The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to the entire Primrose Staff, most especially to the nursing staff. The care he required, especially in the last year, was great and the nurses were extraordinary in their care for him. Hugs and many thanks to all of them!

Visitation: 5-8 p.m. Friday, October 25th at Bell Brothers Funeral Home, 601 N. 56th Ave. W. Duluth and continues Saturday at 11 a.m. until the Noon Funeral Service at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 2802 Minnesota Ave. Duluth. Interment at Oneota Cemetery. To leave a memory or words of support for Walter’s family please visit www.bellbrothersfuneralhome.com