Waldo Arthur Kalsow, age 84, of McAllen, Texas, died on Jan. 2, 2018.

Waldo was born to Wilbert Kalsow and Vivian Peterson on July 31, 1933, in Stevens Point, Wis. The Kalsow family moved to Decorah, Iowa, when he was 16 years old, where he graduated from high school in 1951. Waldo attended college at Luther College in Decorah for two years, enlisted in the U.S. Army and served two years mostly in Korea. At the time of discharge the Army honored him with these medals: National Defense Service, Korean Service Medal and a United Nations Service Medal.

After being discharged from the Army he went back to Luther College and finished his business degree and married Leona (Lee) Kalsow ‘55 on March 31, 1956. He went to work for the United States Postal Service for thirty-two years, retiring in 1988. At the time of retiring he was Postmaster of Rochester, Mich. Retirement was fun, he and Leona traveled extensively around the U.S. and spent the winters in the South, mostly Texas.

Waldo was a very talented woodworker and craftsman. If you wanted something invented or made he could figure it out and do a good job of it. He also dabbled in plastic and stained glass. The sawdust on the floor of the shed (work room) got pretty deep at times. He served as a volunteer fireman, blood donor and helped wherever he could. 

Waldo and Leona raised six children, three boys and three girls all of which graduated from college. He was an Eagle Scout as were his three sons and three grandsons.

Waldo was preceded in death by Leona, his parents, Wilbert and Vivian, and his sister Kathryn Kalsow ‘61. He is survived by his wife Michaela Bielmaier, his siblings Arlene (Kalsow) Ellis ‘57, Charlotte Thompson, and Wendall Kalsow, his children, William Kalsow ’80 (Kathleen (Smith) Kalsow ‘80), Gretchen Kalsow ‘81, Warren Kalsow ‘83 (Jeanne), Margaret “Peg” Kalsow ‘82, Walter Kalsow ‘86 (Kari (Sherwood) Kalsow ‘86), Beth (Jason) Brown, 11 grandchildren and five nieces and nephews.

We believe that he is driving a big, heavenly RV down the road spreading good cheer at each stopping point.