Lester Daniel Gilsdorf

Obituary Les D. Gilsdorf Our beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather and Friend passed away peacefully on Jan. 7, 2010. Les was born on July 13, 1926 in Lindsay, Nebraska to Edward and Rose Gilsdorf. They moved to Tacoma when he was a teenager and he graduated from Stadium High School, class of 1945. Les entered the Navy and upon completing his service, he returned and graduated from CPS (UPS), where he played football and was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. In 1959 he married Diane Mazzuca and together they raised their family in Tacoma. He was so proud to have been able to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary last summer. Les spent his entire career and retired from the wholesale pharmaceutical industry where he made lifelong friends. His passion was skiing and he was an original member of the Tacoma News Tribune Ski School where he taught for many years. He loved the mountain and his log cabin that he built himself. Les enjoyed golf, dancing, gardening, nurturing his roses, his time in the Desert of California, but especially spending time with his family and friends. Les had been a member of the St. Charles Boosters, Bellarmine Boosters, Tacoma Elks, and the Pacific Northwest Ski Instructors Association. He is survived by his wife Diane, his children Stephen, Leslie and David (Rose), his grandchildren, Isabella, Emilia, Jacob and Abigail. He will always be their "Papa." He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Don Gilsdorf. His gentle way and smile will be forever in our hearts. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010, 11:00 am; a Rosary will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010, 7:00 pm at the Gaffney Funeral Home Chapel. Memorial donations may be made in Les' name to Franciscan Hospice, 2901 Bridgeport Way, University Place, WA 98466, and St. Charles Borromeo Church, 7112 So. 12th St, Tacoma WA 98465. Please leave online condolences at www.GaffneyCares.com . Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.