Gilbert Ponsness

Gilbert Ponsness, 80, of Lake Shore, MN, passed away Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at the St. Cloud Hospital. Services for Gil are scheduled for 11 AM, Friday, October 23 at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter with Father George Zeck officiating. Friends are welcome to gather Thursday evening from 5-7 PM at the Brenny Funeral Chapel and one hour prior to services on Friday morning. Interment will be held at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery following Fridays services. Military Honors will be provided by the Nisswa American Legion, Post 627.
Gil was born February 28, 1929 in Fort Dodge, IA where he was raised and graduated from high school in 1947. During the Korean Conflict, Gil served in the US Air Force for 4 years as a Gunnery Instructor for B-29s. On July 17, 1953 he married Norma-Lee in Omaha, NE. The couple made their home in Fort Dodge for 20 years. For eight years, Gil was the Master Mechanic for the Motor Pool for the Air Guard. He also worked for Pan-O-Gold as the Company and Plant Engineer as well as the Installation Engineer. In 1972 he was transferred to St. Cloud, MN where he continued to work for Pan-O-Gold until moving to the Brainerd Lakes area in 1976. Gil was a jack of trades and there wasnt anything he couldnt build with his hands. In Lake Shore he and Norma-Lee operated Hillcrest Grocery and Bar with their family. He later went to work for Maddens and Grand View Resorts in their maintenance departments in addition to owning a welding shop. He is also credited with building all the spiral staircases at CauseWay on Gull.

Gil was committed to his community and was very active in civil service. He was on the city council of Lake Shore for 23 years and served three terms as Mayor. He was a member of the Nisswa American Legion where he was the Commander three times and also the Gaming Manager. In Fort Dodge, Gil was a Scout Master for the Boy Scouts for 17 years. Gil liked to camp, dance, and travel. He was an avid reader and enjoyed the familys stress-freevacations.

Gil will be missed by his wife of 56 years, Norma-Lee; his sons, Kenneth A. (Kass) and Kevin L. (Danya); his daughter, Karole R. (fiancé Keith Wentz) Ponsness; 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Karen Cooper. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Elizabeth Sutcliff and his son, Kirby M.