Gisle Hilde, age 97, of Ulen, MN passed away on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at Viking Manor Nursing Home in Ulen.

Gisle Belford, the son of Hanord and Amanda (Braseth) Hilde, was born on September 27, 1925, at home in Keene township, rural Ulen.  He was raised on the family farm and attended country school near there.  Gisle was baptized, confirmed, and remained a lifelong member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ulen.  On October 28, 1950, Gisle was united in marriage to Alice Shaw in Moorhead, MN.  Shortly thereafter, they purchased the family farm near Ulen where they made their life together.  He worked diligently on the farm, raising grains and livestock, to provide for his wife and five children. Gisle also owned and operated Hilde Radiator Repair and worked with American Crystal Sugar during beet harvest. He proudly served as foreman for the Felton beet piler for many years. Gisle was very mechanically minded and could fix almost anything. He was constantly tinkering, fixing, or inventing new ways to do things.  Gisle enjoyed helping his neighbors and always had a welding project to assist with.  In addition to farming, he liked to fish and hunt and snowmobile in his younger years.  Gisle and Alice operated their farm for 46 years together, after which, they proudly sold it to their son.  When they moved into Ulen, Gisle kept his hands busy woodworking. He made many beautiful bird houses, feeders, and small furniture pieces.  Gisle was well known for the mini hay wagons he delicately crafted and gave away as gifts. He was a proud Norwegian and passed down many traditions to his family. The love he shared with his family was evident throughout his life.  Gisle always had a twinkle in his eye, a smile on his face, and a distinguished laugh.  After Alice passed away in 2009, Gisle continued to live in their Ulen home until moving to the Northern Lights Assisted Living in late 2019.  He later moved to the Viking Manor Nursing Home in 2021.  The compassion Gisle received while living at Viking Manor was exceptional and his family is forever grateful to all of the staff for their excellent care.

Gisle is survived by one son, Mike (Lesa) of Ulen; three daughters: Debra (Terry) Armstrong of Moorhead, MN, DeEtt (David) Braseth of Ulen, and Dorene Rurup of Moorhead; 11 grandchildren: Shelby, Samuel, Shawn, Miranda, Luke, Natasha, Nolan, Nickoli, Brandon, Jay, Dana; 12 great grandchildren; six cousins: Waldo Hilde, Donny Hilde, David Hilde, Duane Braseth, and Darlene Boe, Constance Swenson; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; one daughter, Diane; a grand daughter-in-law, Afton Braseth; all of his siblings: Harry (Orpha) Lowell (Alida), Wallace (Marion), James (Leona), and MaryLou (Marlyn) Syverson; and three nephews, Jimmy Hilde, Larry Hilde, and Larry Shaw.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00am on Friday, July 21, 2023, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ulen. Visitation will be held at the church one hour before the funeral.  Interment will take place at the North Bethlehem Cemetery, Ulen.