In Memory

Muriel Galchutt (Espeland) - Class Of 1946

Muriel Galchutt (Espeland)

Muriel (Mimo) Elaine Galchutt Espeland, 87 years old, of Tustin, California, passed away on December 1, 2015 surrounded by her family. She was born October 17, 1928 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Edwin and Hazel Galchutt. When Muriel was five years old, her family moved from Minneapolis to Los Angeles. She attended Canfield Avenue Elementary School in Los Angeles. Later her family moved to San Marino and attended school in South Pasadena at the South Pasadena Junior High School and South Pasadena-San Marino High School where she graduated in 1946. She attended John Muir College (which later became Pasadena City College, majoring in business from 1946 to 1947.

Muriel's professional career began in 1947 at the age of 19 as a mail clerk at Joyce Shoes, Inc in Pasadena. She worked her way up to be a production control clerk and then the assistant to Mrs Joyce where she was responsible for coordinating the production and distribution of new designs. She left Joyce Shoes in 1952 to work for US Propellers, Inc as a production control clerk. While there, she learned accounting and became an accounting clerk responsible for accounts payables, receivables, payroll, and cost accounting. She resigned in 1957 to start a family. Muriel resumed her professional career in 1978 going to work for Modular Design as an accounts payable clerk. In 1979 she started working for Gerber Scientific Instruments, Tustin Division, as a senior accounting clerk. In 1987 she went to work for Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Fenwal Santa Ana Division, also as a senior accounting clerk where she later retired in 2003.

Muriel married Herbert Espeland in 1954, had four children together and later divorced. Muriel loved being a mother and a grandmother. She enjoyed cooking and entertaining in her home. The most important thing in her life was to be surrounded by family and friends; getting her family together for almost every birthday celebration, graduation, holiday, etc. She lived in her house for over 47 years and it's impossible to recount all the parties she hosted. Muriel really enjoyed spending time with her children. She was involved in all their extra curricular activities and projects. She even managed her daughter's (Lynn) bobby sox softball team for several seasons. During summer vacation, several days each week, she would pile all the children in the car (including their cousins and friends) and take them to the beach. Muriel liked to garden (she loved growing roses), fish, travel with family/friends, and she had a passion for playing golf, which she did very well. She belonged to several women's golf clubs over the years. During one tournament where her club hosted another ladies golf club from Long Beach, she won a trophy for the longest drive (almost 200 yards with a two iron; she never played with her woods).

Muriel Espeland was a very giving person. She cared for her mother in her declining years, as well as her son Mark when he became ill and passed away. Whenever she cooked a holiday meal, she always invited anyone who didn't have a place to go so they wouldn't be alone on the holiday. Everyone was always welcomed at her house and she was always willing to lend a helping hand to someone in need.

Muriel is survived by her brothers, Ronald Galchutt (SPHS '49) of Brookings, Oregon; Stephen Galchutt of Monument, Colorado; children Steven Espeland of Charlotte, North Carolina, Sharon Espeland-Warner of Tustin, Lynn Espeland of Costa Mesa; grandchildren Jennifer Warner and Jason Warner. Preceding Muriel in death:  son Mark Espeland and brother Douglas Galchutt (SPHS '45).

Steven Espeland, son