H. Max Bilsten
May 16, 1925 — May 10, 2013
Funeral Services: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at Denison Baptist Church in Denison, Iowa
Visitation: 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, at Pfannebecker Funeral Home in Denison, Iowa
Burial at Crawford Heights Memory Gardens, Denison, Iowa
H. Max Bilsten was born at Kiron, Iowa, May 16, 1925, the son of Harvey R. and Anna Ulrica Johnson Bilsten. He was raised in the Kiron area where he received his education graduating from the Kiron High School with the class of 1943. Following high school Max served his country during World War II, from 1943 until his honorable discharge in 1945, in the United States Navy. Upon his discharge from the service he returned to Iowa and furthered his education for two years at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. On June 16, 1948, Max was united in marriage with Marie Edith Ellen Evans at Schleswig, Iowa. Their union was blessed with five children: Peggy, Pat, Jody, David and Paul. They made their home in Schleswig where Max was employed as a carpenter for Hans Petersen. Many in the Schleswig area remember his talents as a player and manager of fast pitch softball. In 1958 the family moved to Denison, Iowa, where Max and his brother Don established Bilsten Brothers Construction which they operated until 1984. Following the construction business Max was employed for the City of Denison Street Department until his retirement. For several years during his retirement he was employed at Carlyle Memorials in Denison. Marie died March 22, 2003 and Max continued to make Denison his home. In his spare time he enjoyed listening to big band music, dancing, studying history, was an avid reader, fishing trips to Canada, and, in earlier years he sang at many weddings and funerals in the area. He was a member of Denison Baptist Church in Denison, American Legion Post 8, Denison, Iowa, Appeals Board, Relay for Life Team Member, founding member of the Midwestern Players and Iowa State Cyclone Club having held season tickets for over 40 years. Max died Friday evening, May 10, 2013, at Eventide Lutheran Home in Denison, Iowa. At the time of his death he had been blessed with 87 years, 11 months and 24 days. Including his parents, Harvey and Anna Bilsten and his wife, Marie Bilsten, Max was also preceded in death by an infant grandson, Angel, brothers: Donald Bilsten and infant Carl Roger Bilsten; one sister, Helen Shives, and two brothers-in-laws Kenneth Shives and Vince Koster. Those remaining to cherish his memory include children: Peggy and husband Rick Thomas and Pat and husband Lyle Fleshner all of Denison, Iowa, Jody and husband Steve Wilson of Corning, New York, David and wife Mary Bilsten of Denison, Iowa and Paul Bilsten and Kathy Stone of Sioux City, Iowa; 13 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren; sister Ramona Koster of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; brother-in-law Jerry Miller of Odebolt, Iowa; sisters-in-law: Betty Bilsten, Ina Knop and Millie Lill all of Denison, Iowa; other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at Denison Baptist Church, Denison, Iowa, with Pastor Marc Wallace officiating. Music for the service was provided by Porter Bilsten accompanying himself as he sang “Alleluia” and the congregation singing “How Great Thou Art” and “Amazing Grace”. Mary Kuhlmann served as pianist. Pallbearers were Max’s sons and grandsons: David Bilsten, Paul Bilsten, Tom Coyle, Svenn Bilsten, Porter Bilsten and Zachary Thomas. Interment, with full Military Honors provided by the American Legion Post 8, Denison, Iowa, and Father Paul Kelly playing Taps, was at Crawford Heights Memory Gardens in Denison, Iowa. The committal service concluded with the playing of the ‘Iowa State Fight Song”. Following the graveside rites all were invited to return to the church and join the family for fellowship and a luncheon prepared by the family and served by the Denison Baptist Fellowship Team. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , Denison, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements.
Visitation: 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, at Pfannebecker Funeral Home in Denison, Iowa
Burial at Crawford Heights Memory Gardens, Denison, Iowa
H. Max Bilsten was born at Kiron, Iowa, May 16, 1925, the son of Harvey R. and Anna Ulrica Johnson Bilsten. He was raised in the Kiron area where he received his education graduating from the Kiron High School with the class of 1943. Following high school Max served his country during World War II, from 1943 until his honorable discharge in 1945, in the United States Navy. Upon his discharge from the service he returned to Iowa and furthered his education for two years at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. On June 16, 1948, Max was united in marriage with Marie Edith Ellen Evans at Schleswig, Iowa. Their union was blessed with five children: Peggy, Pat, Jody, David and Paul. They made their home in Schleswig where Max was employed as a carpenter for Hans Petersen. Many in the Schleswig area remember his talents as a player and manager of fast pitch softball. In 1958 the family moved to Denison, Iowa, where Max and his brother Don established Bilsten Brothers Construction which they operated until 1984. Following the construction business Max was employed for the City of Denison Street Department until his retirement. For several years during his retirement he was employed at Carlyle Memorials in Denison. Marie died March 22, 2003 and Max continued to make Denison his home. In his spare time he enjoyed listening to big band music, dancing, studying history, was an avid reader, fishing trips to Canada, and, in earlier years he sang at many weddings and funerals in the area. He was a member of Denison Baptist Church in Denison, American Legion Post 8, Denison, Iowa, Appeals Board, Relay for Life Team Member, founding member of the Midwestern Players and Iowa State Cyclone Club having held season tickets for over 40 years. Max died Friday evening, May 10, 2013, at Eventide Lutheran Home in Denison, Iowa. At the time of his death he had been blessed with 87 years, 11 months and 24 days. Including his parents, Harvey and Anna Bilsten and his wife, Marie Bilsten, Max was also preceded in death by an infant grandson, Angel, brothers: Donald Bilsten and infant Carl Roger Bilsten; one sister, Helen Shives, and two brothers-in-laws Kenneth Shives and Vince Koster. Those remaining to cherish his memory include children: Peggy and husband Rick Thomas and Pat and husband Lyle Fleshner all of Denison, Iowa, Jody and husband Steve Wilson of Corning, New York, David and wife Mary Bilsten of Denison, Iowa and Paul Bilsten and Kathy Stone of Sioux City, Iowa; 13 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren; sister Ramona Koster of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; brother-in-law Jerry Miller of Odebolt, Iowa; sisters-in-law: Betty Bilsten, Ina Knop and Millie Lill all of Denison, Iowa; other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at Denison Baptist Church, Denison, Iowa, with Pastor Marc Wallace officiating. Music for the service was provided by Porter Bilsten accompanying himself as he sang “Alleluia” and the congregation singing “How Great Thou Art” and “Amazing Grace”. Mary Kuhlmann served as pianist. Pallbearers were Max’s sons and grandsons: David Bilsten, Paul Bilsten, Tom Coyle, Svenn Bilsten, Porter Bilsten and Zachary Thomas. Interment, with full Military Honors provided by the American Legion Post 8, Denison, Iowa, and Father Paul Kelly playing Taps, was at Crawford Heights Memory Gardens in Denison, Iowa. The committal service concluded with the playing of the ‘Iowa State Fight Song”. Following the graveside rites all were invited to return to the church and join the family for fellowship and a luncheon prepared by the family and served by the Denison Baptist Fellowship Team. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , Denison, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements.
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