Emil W "Bill" Gilbertson
Emil W. “Bill” Gilbertson, age 91 of Arkansaw, passed away Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at Luther Hospital in Eau Claire with family by his side.
Bill was born on October 16, 1919 in the southwest bedroom on the family farm in Kevenworth Township of Brown County Minnesota. He was the son of Emil and Grace (Pickle) Gilbertson. He grew up in Brown County and attended St. Mary’s School in Sleepy Eye, MN. After school, Bill started a woodworking shop in Sleepy Eye. Bill married Joyce Johnson in 1940 in Sleepy Eye. Bill joined the U.S. Navy and served during WWII on a submarine, he was honorably discharged in 1946. They had three children together and they later divorced. Later, Bill moved to Bemidji, MN and operated a glass company for ten years. Bill moved to Eau Claire and he owned the Claire Falls Building Systems and later retired. Bill met Birdie von Helmst in 1986 and they later married. Bill and Birdie owned and operated the Harbor Lounge in Durand for 4 ½ years. After selling the Harbor Lounge, Bill and Birdie moved to their current home in Arkansaw, WI.
The family would like to thank Bill’s nephew and Godson, Chris Hurias M.D. for the special care and attention that he gave Bill during his recent illness. Also the family would like to thank the staff at the American Lutheran Home in Mondovi and the Luther Hospital in Eau Claire for all of the wonderful loving care they gave to Bill.
Bill is survived by wife, Birdie, children, Bruce (Betty) Gilbertson of Fort Atkinson, WI, Sam (Marlo) Kaempf of Durand, Stanley Jr. (Sandra) von Helmst of North Branch, MN, Patty (Sam) Davis of St. Anthony, MN, Michelle (Randall Sr.) Dekan of Durand and Colleen Thermos of Arkansaw, 27 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Bill is preceded in death by his parents, two children, Judith Hurias and Ronald Gilbertson, one great granddaughter, Clarissa Meyen and one sister, Phyllis Hurias.
Visitation will be held from 5-8 PM Friday, May 13, 2011 at the Rhiel Funeral Home in Durand. Private family services will be held on Saturday. Burial will be in the Porcupine Cemetery, in the Porcupine Township, rural Arkansaw.
Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Durand, is serving the family.