1923
Wallace
2010
Wallace Gilbertson
May 26, 1923 — September 2, 2010
Wallace "Wally" A. Gilbertson, 87, of Willmar, died unexpectedly Thursday morning, September 2, at his home in Willmar.
Memorial services will be held at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, September 7, at the Assembly of God Church. Private interment will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in New London. Visitation is one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar.
Wally was born on May 26, 1923, on the family farm near Sunburg, the son of Anton and Josephine (Johnson) Gilbertson. He grew up in the rural Sunburg community and graduated from New London High School in 1941. From 1942 to 1945, Wally served stateside in the U.S. Navy as a pilot of the SB2C divebomber, known as the "Helldiver". In 1946, he was married to Elaine Stranburg. They lived in Willmar and later divorced. In 1978, he was married to Carolyn Alexander. They also lived in Willmar and became separated in 1982. Wally was employed for almost 40 years with the Great Northern and Burlington Northern Railroad, retiring in 1985 as Yard Master of the Willmar yard. He attended the Willmar Assembly of God Church and was a member of the Willmar American Legion and V.F.W. Posts. Wally enjoyed golfing, bowling, hunting, airplanes and watching sports. He was also an avid reader of western books.
Wally is survived by his special friend of over 26 years, Carol Van Buren of Willmar; his five children, Donn Gilbertson of Minneapolis, Laurie (and Don) Krogfus of Willmar, Carrie Sharp (and Rob Willis) of New London, Megan (and Shawn) Klaphake of Belgrade, and Bridget Gilbertson (and Shaun Mack) of Yellowstone, WY.; ten grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers, Marvin (and Marion) Gilbertson and Elard (and Donna) Gilbertson, both of Willmar; sister, Naomi Olson of New London; brother-in-law, Dick Hovey of Cedar Rapids, IA., and his separated wife, Carolyn Gilbertson of Willmar.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Elna Hovey and a brother-in-law, LuVern Olson.
Memorial services will be held at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, September 7, at the Assembly of God Church. Private interment will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in New London. Visitation is one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar.
Wally was born on May 26, 1923, on the family farm near Sunburg, the son of Anton and Josephine (Johnson) Gilbertson. He grew up in the rural Sunburg community and graduated from New London High School in 1941. From 1942 to 1945, Wally served stateside in the U.S. Navy as a pilot of the SB2C divebomber, known as the "Helldiver". In 1946, he was married to Elaine Stranburg. They lived in Willmar and later divorced. In 1978, he was married to Carolyn Alexander. They also lived in Willmar and became separated in 1982. Wally was employed for almost 40 years with the Great Northern and Burlington Northern Railroad, retiring in 1985 as Yard Master of the Willmar yard. He attended the Willmar Assembly of God Church and was a member of the Willmar American Legion and V.F.W. Posts. Wally enjoyed golfing, bowling, hunting, airplanes and watching sports. He was also an avid reader of western books.
Wally is survived by his special friend of over 26 years, Carol Van Buren of Willmar; his five children, Donn Gilbertson of Minneapolis, Laurie (and Don) Krogfus of Willmar, Carrie Sharp (and Rob Willis) of New London, Megan (and Shawn) Klaphake of Belgrade, and Bridget Gilbertson (and Shaun Mack) of Yellowstone, WY.; ten grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers, Marvin (and Marion) Gilbertson and Elard (and Donna) Gilbertson, both of Willmar; sister, Naomi Olson of New London; brother-in-law, Dick Hovey of Cedar Rapids, IA., and his separated wife, Carolyn Gilbertson of Willmar.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Elna Hovey and a brother-in-law, LuVern Olson.
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