G. Walter Wicklander of Thief River Falls, MN, 86, died Sunday, December 28, 2014 Havenwood Care Center, Bemidji, MN. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. John Voelker, officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls. Visitation will be held from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM on Wednesday at the church. G. Walter Wicklander was born September 19, 1928 in Grimstad Township, near Wannaska, MN, to Erick and Anna (Carlson) Wicklander. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith. He attended school at Wannaska School, District #2 and graduated from Roseau High School in 1947. After graduation, Walter worked in the Red Owl store, Roseau. These early years shaped his life for the grocery business. He worked at Red Owl for about 5 years, then at the Hartz Store, Thief River Falls for 5 years, then for Keebler Cracker Company for 8 years, then Kraft foods for 8 years, before becoming a food broker until his retirement. After retiring, Walter worked for Millander's driving the mail for over 11 years. Through all of his traveling between the grocery and mail business, he accounted for over 1,000,000 miles. On June 6th, 1949 Walter was united in marriage to Maxine Carpenter. To this union three children were born, Emery, Calvin and Lezlie. Walter enjoyed walleye fishing and deer hunting. He was an avid golfer and gardener. He raised many beautiful tomatoes. He would sneak his brother's guitar as a young boy and taught himself how to play. He and his wife Maxine played and sang in the Bob Shulstad Dance Band together for many years. He loved to gather, chat and play cards with family and friends. Walter was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls. He is survived by his loving wife Maxine, daughter: Lezlie Grubich and her children Nicole and Aaron of Bemidji, MN, granddaughter: Marie Gothberg (and her son Cooper) of Thief River Falls, granddaughter: Alexis Olivia Edwards(Allen) of Minneapolis, one sister Hilma "Vickie" Temple, Roseau, MN and many nieces and nephews. Walter was preceded in death by son's Emery and Calvin, parents: Erick and Anna, seven brothers: Melvin, Ernest, Harold, Loyd, Elmer, Tilford and Virgil, six sisters: Freda Johnson, Mable Ostby, Sally Plante, Lila Henry, Nora Swenson, and Mildred Wellen.