Harlan E. Gonstead, 76, of Eau Claire died Tuesday, November 11, 2003 at Dove Healthcare after a lengthy illness. He was born on February 12, 1927 in Clear Lake, South Dakota, the son of Horace and Lydia (Edwardson) Gonstead. He grew up on a farm in Gilman, WI.\r\nHe served in the U.S. Army in France from June 1945 until his honorable discharge in December 1946.\r\nHarlan married his high school sweetheart, Sophie A. Kowalczyk on May 26, 1948 in Gilman, Wisconsin. They lived in Eau Claire throughout their married life.\r\nHe was employed at Buri's Bakery from 1948 to 1954, A.E. Rogers from 1954 to 1970, and also at The Eau Claire Leader Telegram until his retirement in June 1989.\r\nHarlan was a member of St. James the Greater Church.\r\nHe is survived by his five sons, Mike (Lynda) Gonstead of Mondovi, Dan (Debbie) Gonstead of Menomonie, Ed (Pat) Gonstead of Eau Claire, Randy (Beth) Gonstead of Menomonee Falls and Jon Gonstead of Minneapolis; his four daughters, Linda (Gary) Stone, Karen (Bill) Sabin, M.J. (Bob) Gonstead-Lahti and Ann (Randy) Hartle, all of Eau Claire.\r\nHe is further survived by his grandchildren, Brian (Mary) Gonstead, Doniell (Greg) Weltzin, Nicole (Jim) Zamora, Stephanie (Joshua) Rasmussen, Tara Sabin, Matt (Amy) Gonstead, Jennifer and Eric Gonstead, Joshua and Jacob Haley, Brooks, Samantha and Zachary Lahti all of Eau Claire, Liz Stone of Minneapolis, Ben Sabin of Madison, Jonas Gonstead of Milwaukee, Michaleen (Jeff) Josephs of Chicago, Ryan Gonstead of Mondovi, Luke and Sara Gonstead of Menomonie, Scott, Andrew and Liz Gonstead of Menomonee Falls, and Angela Hartle of Lancaster, CA; and nine great grandchildren all of Eau Claire; his brother, Marvin Gonstad of Cullman, AL.\r\nHarlan was preceded in death by his wife, Sophie in 1999; his parents; three infant grandchildren, Jon and James Sabin, and Rachel Gonstead.\r\nHarlan was noted for his mechanical abilities. His children and numerous friends kept him busy repairing vehicles and equipment in his spare time. God gave him special talents and he loved helping others with any construction or repair project. He also loved hunting, fishing and camping with his children and grandchildren. He always had a joke to tell and a humorous saying for every occasion.\r\nThose of us who knew and loved Harlan will always remember him as the loving, caring, hard working man he was. We loved him and we will miss him. We know his happiness is renewed at being reunited with his loving wife, Sophie.\r\nA Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 15, 2003 at St. James the Greater Catholic Church with Father John A. Schultz officiating. VFW Post #305 will present military honor rites there. Private inurnment will be held at a later date in Resurrection Chapel Mausoleum at Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home and one hour prior to services Saturday at the church. There will be a 7 p.m. Prayer Vigil Friday at the funeral home.

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