Gordon Lee Espelund

Gordon Lee Espelund of Spirit Lake, Iowa passed on peacefully on Saturday October 8th, 2022, at the age of 88. After several months of declining health, Gordon died comfortably with his beloved wife Ruth by his side at Lakes Regional Hospital. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 17, 2022, at the First Presbyterian Church in Spirit Lake. A visitation with family present will be held on Sunday from 4-6 p.m. at the Robinson Funeral Home in Spirit Lake and one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church. A Masonic service will be held at 6:00 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home. A private family burial will take place at a later date in the Matlock Cemetery in Matlock, IA. Online condolences may be left at www.spiritlakefuneralhome.com Arrangements are under the direction of the Robinson Funeral Home in Spirit Lake, formerly the Schuchert-Lentz Funeral Home. Gordon was born to Knute and Mary Espelund on the family farm near Callender, Iowa on October 2, 1934. He was the youngest of five children and was raised in Burnside, Iowa. Following graduation from Burnside high school in 1950 he worked as a car mechanic where he developed a love of cars and racing. He later transitioned into the agriculture industry which would become his lifelong career and where he developed his keen ability to build relationships by telling jokes. He was however best known for his impressive work ethic and his unwavering honesty. After starting his career by managing a grain elevator near Burnside, Iowa he moved to Sioux City, Iowa to work for Modern Farm Systems as a territory manager. Gordon's job later took him to Grand Island, Nebraska and eventually to Spirit Lake, Iowa in 1982 which was his home for the last 40 years. Gordon worked for Modern Farm Systems until his retirement in 2002. Gordon was also active in the Great Lakes Shrine Club raising money for Shriners Hospital for Children and enjoyed woodworking and watching NASCAR races in his spare time. After retirement, Gordon and Ruth enjoyed spending time with family and traveling the Southern United States for several years before finding their winter home in South Padre, Texas. Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, as well as, his brother Richard, sisters Yvonne and Jane, and grandchildren Emma and Asher. He is survived by his wife Ruth; brother James; children Kim, Kelly, Karri, Tom, Ben, Josh, and Luke; grandchildren Mellisa, Matt, Rachael, Rebecca, Nick, John, Jeniffer, Jeremy, Justin, Harper, Lucy, Oliver and Charlotte; as well as, numerous great-grandchildren. People wishing to honor Gordon's lifelong commitment to family and community can make donations to the Shriners Hospital for Children. https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/

Gordon Lee Espelund

October 2, 1934 - October 8, 2022