Gary Grant Gilbertson, age 77, of Beldenville, WI passed away Tuesday, October 9, 2018 from cancer at his home with his wife Carol by his side. He was born February 12, 1941 in River Falls, WI to Sern and Elizabeth (Haberstitch) Gilbertson. He attended Forestville School, River Falls High School and graduated from Amery High School in 1958. He served in the US Army at Ft. Lewis, WA for two years.
On February 20, 1965 he was united in marriage to Geraldine Sarnstrom at Svea Lutheran Church. She passed away on November 29, 2001. On May 15, 2004 he married Carol (Johnson) Sather at Svea Lutheran Church.
After graduation he worked for Clyde Marsh on his farm, Red Wing Pottery, for Uncle Ed Nelson in Chicago, Erickson Industries in River Falls, Norlake in Hudson. He did over the road trucking for 22 years for King Koil Sleep Products, and owned trucks with his cousin Butch for several years contracting with Interstate Express. He retired in 1997.
He was past commander of Ellsworth American Legion Post 204, past Chef de Gare of Pierce County Voiture 904, member of Pierce County VFW, River Falls Moose Lodge, Beldenville Old Car Club and Eau-Galle Rush River Sportsman’s Club.
Gary loved to play cribbage and euchre. Enjoyed a good joke and loved to spend time with family and friends. He and both his wives enjoyed many trips, including Australia, South Pacific, England, six trips to Alaska and Route 66 on motorcycle from Chicago to Santa Monica Pier. He enjoyed the trailer and fishing at Staples Lake for 22 years. He also enjoyed his winter trips to Arizona for about 20 years and was able to visit all 50 states.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Sern and Elizabeth Gilbertson; his first wife, Geraldine; brothers, Clarence, Rollie and Lee.
Gary is survived by his wife, Carol; daughter, Gwen Van Handel; son, Gary Ross Gilbertson (Heidi); special niece, Kelly (David) Kinneman; 4 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Also survived by step-sons, Jody (Mary Chase) Sather and Jerry (Shannon Corbett) Sather; 9 step-grandchildren and 4 step-great-grandchildren; sister, Iris Winter; sisters-in-law, Marianne Gilbertson and Rosie Gilbertson; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Gary will be 11:00am Saturday, October 13th at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, N6450 530th Street, Beldenville, WI. Visitation will be 4:00-8:00pm Friday, October 12th at O’Connell-Benedict Family Funeral Home, 130 North Grant Street, Ellsworth and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Interment will be in Beldenville Cemetery where military rites will be conducted by Ellsworth American Legion Post 204.
Please wear Green Bay Packer, American Legion or Beldenville Old Car Club shirts.
Services have been entrusted to O’Connell-Benedict Family Funeral Home of Ellsworth, WI.