Obituaries

Errol Lee Reksten

Retired USAF Major Errol Lee Reksten, 76 of Ooltewah, Tenn., died on Sunday, May 26, 2019. He was born in Minneapolis, Minn., to the late Theodore and Gladys Lee Reksten. Major Reksten attended the University of Wisconsin, where he received his BS in Mechanical Engineering. He then served in the U.S. Air Force as a C-130 Navigator during Vietnam and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross. After finishing two tours in Vietnam, he was then stationed in England where he met his wife, Gillian Combes. Together they came back to the U.S. and were married. Major Reksten later returned to school, earning his Master’s Degree from the University of Arizona. Before he retired from the military, they were stationed at various bases throughout the U.S. and in several overseas countries as well. He was preceded in death by his brother, John Reksten. Survivors include his loving wife of 49 years, Gillian Reksten; children, Stephen Reksten, Murfreesboro, TN, Philip Reksten, Ooltewah, Sarah Reksten (Marcus) Shaw, Chantilly, VA; Catherine Reksten, Chattanooga and Nicholas (Leah) Reksten, Redlands, CA; grandchildren, Lauren and Kelly; sister, Sylvia (Carl) Ross, Rochester, MN; brother, Robert (Dawn) Reksten, Adell, WI and several nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 31, in the Chattanooga National Cemetery with full military honors provided by the U.S. Air Force. The family would like to thank Hearth Hospice for their loving care and support. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 7625 Hamilton Park Drive, Suite #6, Chattanooga, TN 37421. Please visit www.heritagechattanooga.com to share words of comfort. There will be no visitation at the funeral home. Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421.

Published May 29, 2019

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