Chester Philip Hals

Chet Hals, 95, formerly of Barnum passed away on Friday, February 13, 2004 at Hillcrest Health Care Center in Rush City. Chet was born on October 19, 1908 to Edward and Grace (Holman) Hals in Stark, MN. His father was running the Stark Store at the time of his birth. When he was six years old the family moved to North Branch. A few years later his father bought the dray line. They started with three teams of horses and in 1920 bought their first truck. Chet graduated from North Branch High School in 1928. There were 22 graduates and he was class president. After graduation he kept busy working the dray line with his father and brothers. Chet met Thelma Gilbert while working on a job in Barnum. They were married a short time later on New Year's Day 1934 in a quiet ceremony at Thelma's family home during the Depression. They were both baptized at the Barnum Methodist Church in August of 1934. From that time on they were very active members of their church. They moved to Barnum in 1940. He went to work for the Carlton County Highway Department. In 1941, after a cut in pay and finding it hard to make ends meet, he took a civilian job in Newfoundland for two years operating a shovel on the dock building a naval base. In 1943 he returned to Carlton County Highway Department and six months later he was drafted into the Army at the age of 35. He served stateside and was discharged in 1945. He became Barnum Town Clerk in 1948 and became Mayor of Barnum in 1952. He was Justice of the Peace 'until it was outlawed' sometime in the 1970's. Chet retired from Carlton County as Superintendent of Maintenance in 1973. Chet and his wife loved to entertain friends and relatives. Although they never had children of their own, there were always children around them. He had a woodshop behind his house. Chet's love for woodworking showed with the many beautiful things that came from that shop. In the later years of his life he and his two brothers, Bud and Ollie, made eleven teacarts and 40 children's glider swings. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 48 yrs, Thelma; brothers, Eldon, Marion, Carroll, and Keith; sisters, Verna and Mildred. He is survived by one brother, Edward "Bud" Hals of North Branch, and many nieces and nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews as well as many other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at Thursday, February 19 at the United Methodist Church in Barnum. Rev. Lee Kantonen officiated. Pallbearers were Rick Hals, David Hals, Ron Hals, Charles Hals, Tom Hals and Phil Hals. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in Barnum in the spring. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Barnum United Methodist Church Building Fund. Arrangements entrusted to Northland Funeral Home in Cloquet.