Funeral services for Walter H. Fjelbroten of Albert Lea will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at East Freeborn Lutheran Church. The Rev. David Hernes will officiate. Visitation will be held Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Bonnerup Funeral Service and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in East Freeborn Cemetery.

Mr. Fjelbroten died Monday afternoon, June 4, 2007, at St John&8217;s Lutheran Home in Albert Lea. He was 97 years of age.

Walter was born Sept. 27, 1909, in Riceland Township, the son of Knute and Mamie (Gulbrandson) Fjelbroten. He attended the Bell School in Freeborn County. On Dec. 18, 1937, he was united in marriage to Charlotte Prestagard at the Lutheran Parsonage in Northwood, Iowa.

Walter was a member of the East Freeborn Lutheran Church. In his early years, Walter hired out as farm labor and ran an area thrashing machine. He then purchased his own farm in 1941 where together they farmed for many years.

Walter was on the school board for Bell District No. 27. He enjoyed fishing, woodworking, building clocks and model cars. He made many wood jewelry boxes for the grandchildren and loved to take care of his large garden. He had a special place in his life for his pet dog, Tiny.

Walter is survived by his wife Charlotte of Albert Lea; children, Robert (Patricia) Fjelbroten of Albert Lea and Sandra (Richard) Traynor of Rice Lake, Wis. Grandchildren include Joanie (Jerry) Weitzel, Ernie (Carol) Schultz, Kim (Mike) Belshan, Tammy (Dean) Schneider, Sherie Stender, Johnny Fjelbroten, Rob (Kris) Fjelbroten, Jeff Nielsen, Jody (Will) Warlick, Tammy (Kevin) Palmer and Jaynee Nielsen. There are 18 great- grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren. One sister, Helen Powell of Austin, also survives.

Walter was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Martha in infancy, Thea Fjelbroten and Bernice Vollum; brother, Melvin Fjelbroten; grandchildren, David and Michael Traynor; and great-great-grandson Makaio Radke.