Gary E. Chelsberg

Gary Chelsberg was born on May 29, 1953 in Kelvington, SK to Clara (Johanson) and William Brothen. Gary was the youngest of 7 children. Tragically, his mother died the year he was born. In about 1955, Gary came to live with Clarence and Melinda (Nilson) Chelsberg and son Ron at the Chelsberg farm north of Parkbeg SK - a farm with a large garden and barn and various livestock including cattle and chickens which Gary helped to care for. Gary likely started school at Bird's Eye View country school several miles away. For a period, he also lived with Nilson cousins near Hawarden SK, attending a country school there.

Gary always held the Simroses and Seierstads, neighbours to the Chelsberg farm, in high regard and particularly had a great affection for neighbours Frances and Norma Wiman. He also had great respect and affection - and a bit of fear, as did all her 29 grandchildren - for his Grandma Josephine Nilson, a plain-spoken, but loving and concerned influence to the end of her long life. Gary attended high school in Moose Jaw when Melinda and Clarence retired there. A Chelsberg cousin notes that Gary in that period made the best sour cream and raisin pie for visitors. Following high school, Gary went to live with his birth father, William, in Kelvington for a period. He also lived in Northern British Columbia with his brother Ron Chelsberg and sister-in-law Charlotte, working at a sawmill. Gary took a culinary arts course and then worked at the Coachman restaurant in Saskatoon. He remained in Saskatoon the rest of his life. 

Gary lived at various locations, mostly in the Pleasant Hill area but also in the Broadway area, over the years, His final residence was near the University Bridge but he continued to enjoy coffee times with friends at the 22 and Ave W McDonald's. Although a private person, he was also very social. You understood that if you walked down the street with him – many people knew and liked him. 

Gary kept in contact with his many Chelsberg, Nilson, Brothen and Solie relatives, as well as other friends and acquaintances in person and through phone calls and Christmas cards. Gary was very happy to come to know his birth brothers and sisters as an adult. He spoke with love and respect for his sister Darlyne. He visited with his sisters Olive and Bernice and nephews William and Chris regularly, especially around Christmas time over a turkey meal. The passing of his siblings over the years was very sad for him. 

Gary was appreciative of his Norwegian roots - he was doubly Norwegian as both his birth and adoptive families were of Norwegian origin. He was a regular part of his cousin JoAnn and husband and four sons’ family life for many years. He looked forward to Lille Julaften at their house, usually the day prior to Christmas Eve, where he could enjoy meatballs, surkaal, lefse, and riscrem, most especially if he found the almond in the riscrem and won the prize that went with it. He was clear that he was glad lutefisk was not on the menu. Gary regularly brought presents when he visited, often a plant, and took other plant slips home. He never stayed long. He always had a bus to catch or a cigarette to smoke - a habit he never quite shook, although he was always trying. 

Birthdays and anniversaries were important to Gary - he knew the birthdays and anniversaries of nearly everyone he was acquainted with. He was really looking forward to the upcoming 70th birthday party which had been promised him. He called family members regularly on their birthdays. He would also call to make sure his birthday had not been forgotten. For many years JoAnn and Gary together would call to sing birthday greetings to their Uncle Norman Nilson in Vancouver who had a birthday the day following Gary’s and the day prior to JoAnn’s.

Gary was a faithful Lutheran. Following his childhood attendance at Bethany Lutheran Church north of Parkbeg, in Saskatoon he held membership first at Augustana Lutheran on Broadway and more recently transferred to Zion Lutheran. He communed there just a week or two prior to his death. Gary reserved Saturday nights for staying home and listening to the country gospel show on Swift Current radio. Gary did not say much about his personal life, except to indicate how important family was to him, both his birth and adoptive families, and also the importance he attached to his friends and his concern for them. He struggled with health issues which made employment in his later years impossible and sometimes required hospitalization. He usually didn’t tell anyone until afterwards. His kindness and good nature were sometimes taken advantage of, but something that defined him was that, while he sometimes told stories, past and present, with a mischievous grin or a wry comment, he took care to not criticize anyone or speak in a way that reflected negatively on anyone. He also made it very clear that he did not like it if anyone else spoke negatively, even if it was in support or defense of him.

Gary was predeceased by his birth and adoptive parents, William and Clara Brothen, Clarence and Melinda Chelsberg, his adoptive brother Ron, and his birth siblings Harold, Darlyne, Olaf, Olive, and Bernice. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Charlotte, brother Lawrence, and several nieces and nephews, both Chelsberg and Brothen. He also has large extended Chelsberg, Nilson and Brothen/Solie families. 

Gary was remarkably kind, forgiving, and accepting. He was truly exceptional in that way and we should all learn this from him.

A Memorial Service will be held for Gary at 11:45 a.m., Sunday, January 26, 2025 at Zion Lutheran Church – 323 4th Avenue S, Saskatoon, SK (foot of Broadway Bridge). Please enter by south doors by the ramp on 4th Avenue. Lunch to follow.