Louie Joseph Gueswel

Louie Joseph Gueswel passed away December 6, 2009 at Poudre Valley Hospital. He was 93. Louie was born in Yuma, Colorado October 21, 1916 to Olive Landon Gueswel and Joseph Louie Gueswel. At the age of three, after his mother passed away, Louie and his family moved to Fort Collins. The family lived in the Horsetooth area and Louie attended the Stout School. As a young man, he worked in the timber and cut posts. On June 7, 1936 he married Helen Lindsey in Edina, Missouri. They lived in Fort Collins, Washington State and California and eventually settled in Poudre Canyon where he lived most of his life. During his lifetime he was a welder on the B 17 aircraft, installing gunnery turrets during WWII in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He worked for the Michigan Lumber Company near Gould, Colorado, worked in the Prairie Divide Mine, dug wells and was a maintainer operator for the county for 30 plus years. While living in Poudre Canyon, he was very involved in the volunteer fire department for over 40 years. He helped build one of the first fire engines and served in many capacities, including fire chief.
After retirement he became involved in making life size wild animals out of barbwire with his son, Carl and grandson, Brian. He is survived by his wife, Helen, who he was married to for 73 years; sons, Roy and wife, Pat of Lamar, Colorado, Carl and wife, Jan of Poudre Canyon; six grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; and family friend, Loyce Beye. His mother, Olive; his father, Joseph Louie; an infant daughter, Linda and two brothers, Huffman and Frank Gueswel preceded him in death. He was a great Christian man who truly loved God, loved people and deeply loved his family that will greatly miss him. A Funeral Service will be held Friday at 10:00 a.m. at Bohlender Funeral Chapel. Interment will follow at Roselawn Cemetery. Pastor Roy Gueswel will officiate. Immediately following the Graveside Service a reception will be held in the East Auditorium at Timberline Church. Viewing will take place on Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00p.m. at Bohlender Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Poudre Canyon Fire Department in his memory in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W Olive, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524.