Carroll "Cal" Eastlund

Carroll Oscar Eastlund, 92, of Red Wing, died at River Falls Area Hospital, following a brief stay at Ellsworth Care Center.

Cal was born February 4, 1922 in Stanley, ND, to Oscar and Alma (Wangen) Eastlund, as the second of three children. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to Red Wing where Oscar was employed at S.B Foot Tanning Co. Cal graduated in the RWHS class of 1940. With WW2 raging, he promptly enlisted and was selected to become an Air Force Pilot. He served in the Pacific, piloting B-24 Liberator Bombers on 42 missions before returning home. Cal married Berdell Zemke in 1946 at United Lutheran Church, and the couple resided continuously in Red Wing.

Working in sales positions for Napa Auto Parts, Behrens Auto Parts, Red Wing Sewer Pipe, and Hillyard Products, Cal traveled heavily in the five-state area. He was a river enthusiast and avid boater. He built his first boat by hand, a 16 ft. runabout. That boat endured countless fishing trips, pounding waves on Lake Pepin, and hundreds of ski runs. Later he purchased a well- used Chris Craft houseboat, restored it, and built a sheltered slip for berthing. Favorite pastimes included golfing at RWGC, playing bridge in couples clubs, and vegetable gardening. (Berdell handled the flowers.) He was famous for his "over-the-top" seasonal outdoor decorations. He participated in many worthy causes including deliveries for Meals on Wheels, running errands for shut-ins, construction work with Habitat for Humanity, and cooking at fund raisers. He was a member of Kiwanis, the Elks Club, the American Legion, and Men in Mission at United Lutheran.

Cal is survived by one son Lon (Nancy) Eastlund in Honolulu HI; two grandchildren Joshua (Gwen) Eastlund in Bellingham WA and Zachary (Kristen) Eastlund in Iowa City IA; two great grandchildren Leif and Henrik; one sister Lois Malm in Hastings MN; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Berdell Eastlund, and one brother Alfred Eastlund.

Memorial services will be held 2 pm Sunday Jan 4, at United Lutheran Church with Reverend Justin Boeding officiating. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be from 5:30 to 7:00 pm Saturday Jan 3, at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel. Memorials are preferred to the Kiwanis Flower Basket Fund, or the Red Wing Mayo Clinic Hospice Fund. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.