1935- Mary Ellen Gilbertson – 2020
Mary Ellen Gilbertson was born on February 13, 1935, in Colton, South Dakota to Fred and Verena Heinemenn Anderson. She grew up on the family farm near Dell Rapids, South Dakota and graduated from St. Mary’s High School. On April 20, 1955, she and Arvin Gilbertson were married at St. Mary’s Church in Dell Rapids. Following their marriage, they farmed north of Lake Wilson, Minnesota and Mary Ellen worked as a bookkeeper for Barry Construction. In the early 1980s, Mary Ellen went to work in the office at the Slayton Manor. In 1996 they moved to Lake Wilson. Arvin passed away on September 25, 2013. Mary Ellen passed away on Tuesday, January 7, 2020, at the Murray County Medical Center in Slayton at the age of 84. She was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Lake Wilson where she served as Eucharist Minister and was a member of the C.C.W. She also was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, Lake Wilson American Legion Auxiliary, the Iona Quilting Group, Laddie’s Angels, the Birthday Club, and several card clubs. Mary Ellen enjoyed spending time with her family, watching sports, especially the Minnesota Vikings, the sister parties, living on the lake, and celebrating her favorite holidays on the 4th of July and Christmas.
Survivors include her four children and their spouses: Ed and Teresa Gilbertson, Slayton, MN, Jeffery, and Denise Gilbertson, Windom, MN, Darla, and Keith Selken, Brandon, SD, and Brian and Robin Gilbertson, Lake Wilson, MN; 10 grandchildren: Alicia and Aaron Sandness, Crystal and Nick Schottler, Nicholas and Heather Gilbertson, Ryan and Caitlyn Gilbertson, Luke Gilbertson, Chelsie Selken, Carissa Selken, and Tom Crockett, Mitchell and Kjersti Selken, Reese Gilbertson and Dylan Gilbertson; eight great-grandchildren; six siblings: Betty Bunkers, Dell Rapids, SD, Alice Doherty, Larchwood, IA, Judy Jordan, NYC, NY, Karen Oveson, Sun City West, AZ, Jeanne, and Dennis Carder, Loveland, CO, and Lee and Marlys Anderson, Trent, SD. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Arvin; sister Alverda Huntimer and brother Curtis Anderson.
Funeral services were held at St. Mary’s Church in Lake Wilson, MN on Monday, January 13, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. with Fr. Thien Nguyen officiating with special music by Group Therapy. The pallbearers were her grandchildren. Interment is at Hillside Cemetery in Lake Wilson, MN. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the services at the church on Monday. To send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com
