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Orville Gilbertson

Orville Clayton Gilbertson, age 92, of Woodville, Wisconsin died on September 11, 2014, at Park View Home, Woodville.

Orville was born on August 13, 1922, the only son of Oscar and Mildred (Teigen) Gilbertson, on his parents’ farm in Drammen Township, Eau Claire County, Wisconsin. He had three sisters. He was baptized and confirmed at the Drammen Lutheran Church. He went to the Oak Grove School through eighth grade and then farmed with his folks in Drammen.

Orville was married to Phyllis Mohn of Woodville on April 11, 1945, at the North Rush River Lutheran Church south of Baldwin. They bought a small farm east of Woodville, where he lived for 40 years, and he took a job at the Baldwin Co-op Creamery. Orville and Phyllis were blessed with four children: Sandra, Larry, James, and Dennis. They were divorced in 1977.

Orville was a buttermaker at the creamery and, in 1962, he took first place at the Wisconsin State Buttermakers’ Convention and was named Buttermaker of the Year. He was so proud of this honor. After 20 years at the Baldwin Creamery, Orville was promoted to Head Buttermaker. He retired from the creamery after 40 years and farmed for a while. He retired to Eau Claire and then to Altoona, where he lived until October 2003, at which time he moved to Park View Place in Woodville.

Orville served on the Baldwin-Woodville School Board and on various Peace Lutheran Church committees. He was Vice President of the Peace Lutheran Church Council for six years, then elected president for six more years.

Preceding him in death were his parents, son Dennis at age 26, two sisters, Elayne Johnson of Minneapolis, MN, and Helene Shockley of Blaine, MN, and best friend Doris Patrow of Chetek. Survivors include children: Sandra Phernetton of Cottage Grove, MN; Larry (Susan) of Baldwin and James (Roxanne) of Menomonie; six grandchildren: Bradley (Jennifer) Phernetton, Karla Gilbertson, Tim (Gretchen) Gilbertson, Michael (Jessica) Gilbertson, Joshua Gilbertson, and Jaden Gilbertson; 11 great-grandchildren: Logan, Evan and Natalie Phernetton; Payton Gilbertson; Louise, Brady and Annie Gilbertson; Shyla, Jace, Aleigha and Kylah Gilbertson; sister Dorothy Larson of Columbia Heights, MN; two nieces, four nephews, many grand-nieces and grand-nephews, many cousins and friends.

A celebration of Orville’s life will be held at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home on Sunday, September 14, from 1PM to 3PM . Public graveside service will follow at 3:30 at the Peace Lutheran Church Cemetery in Baldwin. Pallbearers were Orville’s six grandchildren: Bradley Phernetton, Karla Gilbertson, Tim Gilbertson, Michael Gilbertson, Joshua Gilbertson and Jaden Gilbertson. Funeral services entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Homes.

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