Alton Gilmore

ALTON EDWIN GILMORE was born to Paul Clifford and Bessie Mae (Roberts) Gilmore on December 29, 1928 on a farm in Eden Township, south of Pipestone, Minnesota where he was raised and attended school in District #29. He then continued his education at Pipestone High School. After his graduation in 1947, he helped on the family farm. On August 27, 1950, he was united in marriage to Ramona Anderson at First Baptist Church in Pipestone. Following their marriage, they lived and farmed south of Pipestone. During this time, Alton also helped build houses with E. Sorenson for five winters. In 1990, he retired from farming but continued to live on the farm. On May 2, 2015, he died at his home at the age of 86 years, four months and four days.

Alton was a member of Faith Community Church in Pipestone where he sang in the church choir, taught the kindergarten Sunday school class for 17 years, served as the Sunday school secretary for 25 years, and also served as a church deacon and a trustee. He was a member of the Gideons. He was especially interested in raising, breaking, and working draft horses. He enjoyed reading, fishing and hunting.

He is lovingly remembered by Steven Gilmore and his wife Cheryl of Nisland, South Dakota, Carrie Nickel and her husband Bruce of Litchfield, Minnesota, Allen Gilmore and his wife Barb of Pipestone, Minnesota, and Roger Gilmore and his wife Shirlee of Pipestone, Minnesota; son-in-law, Jim Arlt of Welch, Minnesota; 16 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; one brother, David Gilmore and his wife AnnaBelle of Pipestone, Minnesota; brother-in-law, Ed Halbersma of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and one sister-in-law, Lucille Belau of Jasper, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ramona Gilmore; his daughter, Carmen Arlt; his parents; three grandchildren; two who died as infants and Paul Gilmore; and three sisters, Esther Gilmore, Doris Halbersma, and Ida Moser.

All memorials preferred to the Gideons.