Gilbert Allen Lysaker, 92, passed away July 13, 2015, peacefully at his home in Boynton Beach, FL after a courageous battle with cancer. Gilbert was born in Fargo, ND to Frederick and Anna Lysaker. From a Norwegian immigrant family, he was raised in Fargo, attended school there, graduating from Fargo Central High School in 1940. He attended Moorhead State Teacher's College in Moorhead, MN. A proficient athlete, he played semi pro basketball for the Power's Coffee Shop and Fargo Dragons teams. As a young man, he went west to work at Farragut Naval Station in northern Idaho and also spent a short time as an Idaho state trooper in Coeur d'Alene, ID.

In April of 1943 Gil joined the Army as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division where he served our country in the European theater. He made two jumps, was awarded a bronze star as well as receiving two purple hearts for wounds received in combat. He was honorably discharged in January of 1946. After a short career in civil service in Fargo, ND, he returned to the military as a member of the National Guard for service from May, 1949 to January, 1951 when he was honorably discharged.

Gil was living in St. Louis in 1951, where he went to work for Pennsylvania Rubber Company, specializing in sales for their sporting goods division. His rapid success in this field prompted him to join an industry sales rep agency, Doug Gleason Associates, in Palatine, IL where he quickly became the President/Owner of the growing organization.

Gil's long career as a very successful sales/marketing agent led him to become the founder of Tackle Shooting Sports Agents Association, the nation's largest rep trade council which ultimately led to his induction into Rapala's prestigious Hall of Fame. He will long be remembered as both an inspiration and a mentor to dozens of successful businessmen following in his footsteps.

A member and resident of Inverness Golf Club in Palatine, IL for 20 years, he retired to Florida in 1985. He was a member and resident of Delray Dunes Country Club in Boynton Beach for 40 years. He also spent summers at Bent Tree Country Club in Jasper, GA for over 20 years.

Gil was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick and Anna Lysaker and his brother, Ted Lysaker. He is survived by his son Christopher Lysaker (Debbie), his daughter Susan Jarvis and grandson Eric Jarvis, sister- in- law Ardis Lysaker, niece Karin Palumbo (Jack), nephew Glenn Lysaker (Marcie), step daughter –in- law Janet Elmore, step grandson Geoff Elmore (Jill), step great granddaughter, Shea. Special thanks is offered to his friend Maria Rodriguez who provided unending caring and support over the years.


Private burial services will be held at South Florida National Cemetery, Lake Worth, FL.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org or the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org