Gilbert Oviatt of New Richmond, WI passed away September 4, 2024 at the New Richmond Hospital, where he received expert care in his final hours; surrounded by his loving family. Gilbert Oviatt, was born July 8, 1938 to Clarence and Florence Oviatt in Sioux City, IA. He was the youngest of five children. He graduated from Central High School, Sioux City, IA in 1956 where he excelled in track and field. Upon graduation, he proudly signed up to defend his country in the United States Army for three years then transferred to the United States Airforce where he served 20 plus years as a computer specialist, spending time in Viet Nam on Monkey Mountain in Da Nang. In 1970 while stationed at the Osceola Airforce base, he met the love of his life, Collette, and they were married. With the marriage, Gil became an instant father to Shelly, then they welcomed another daughter, Kerry. They built homes in Somerset and then, New Richmond. Gil loved his family deeply and enjoyed being a husband and father, grandfather and great grandfather; he loved his country. He was a lifelong Minnesota Vikings fan along with his daughter Kerry, much to the dismay of his daughter Shelly, who is a fierce Green Bay Packer fan. His favorite pastimes were hunting, fishing, and traveling anywhere the road would take them in the US and beyond with his beloved, Collette. Gil was always an avid treasure hunter searching at garage sales, the goodwill, antique shops, or even the Apple River for his next great find; the ultimate treasure. He also loved to go to the casino and to Bingo. Last summer he made the trek to Lake of the Woods for an epic fishing trip with his son in law, John, and his grandkids, Alex, Cheyanne, and Colton. He is proceeded in death by his mother and father Clarence and Florence, his wife, Collette, his siblings, Myrtle, Arthur, James, and Robert. He is survived by his daughters, Shelly (John Schmitt) and Kerry(William Wnuk), his grandchildren, Amanda(Glenn Gossett), Alexander(Ali), Cheyanne, Colton, and Kieran, Lily(Zach), William Jr, and Rory; eight great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He spent the last years of life living at the Hammond Health Center where he was treated handsomely, he well cared for and loved by the staff. Gil’s last great battle was hard fought for a designated smoking area for the residents and staff at the Hammond Health Center, where he staged a hunger strike(he had snacks in his room though) and he was very proud of his achievement. Gil’s last year’s just became a struggle to live but he was still a jokester til his last breath. He was respectfully cared for after death at the O’Connell Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services in Baldwin, WI. Gil will be forever missed by his friends and family, but we are grateful that he is no longer in pain and with his bestie. Gil will be laid to rest with his beloved Collette at the Fort Snelling cemetery in Minneapolis, MN.