Obituary of Erling Barseth

Major (ret) Erling A. Barseth Shreveport, LA ? Earl, 89, passed away on Thursday, May 19, 2011 after a brief illness. He was blessed to have his beloved wife, Regina, and his two sons, Darik and Allen, by his bedside as he peacefully slipped away. Earl was born in New Haven, CT to Sigurd and Annie Barseth on October 10, 1921. He joined the Army Air Corps shortly after Pearl Harbor. Following training he became a navigator on B-24?s and served throughout the European Theatre. Among his many decorations, he received a purple heart for wounds he incurred during action over Germany. After the war he crewed numerous transports and continued his career on KC-97?s and later KC-135?s for the Strategic Air Command. He retired as a Major in 1964 after 22 years of honorable service. Earl enjoyed his early retirement with a ten year stay in Acapulco, Mexico. After his return to the U.S., he settled in Bossier City, LA. He was a talented and industrious man who made a good living in securing, maintaining and renting properties. Earl loved adventure and travel, and continued to do so throughout his lifetime. He never met a person he didn?t like. He was an intelligent, engaging and thoughtful man who had many friends and dearly loved his family. He will be sorely missed and remembrances of him will be cherished. The Barseth Family will receive friends at Boone Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 24 between the hours of 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM. Graveside services will take place at the Northwest LA Veterans Cemetery at Keithville, LA at 2 PM.