Obit: Gilbertson, Emil G. (1870 - 1949)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Gilbertson, Stamstad, Sommervold, Norby, Ford, McClellan, Engebretson, Hansen, Overlien, Cadby, Nelson, Webb, Hoagenson, Monsos, Rockney, Finch, Larkin, Haugstad, Thompson, Ashbeck, Abernathy, Huss

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI) 11/09/1949

Gilbertson, Emil G. (14 September 1870 - 5 November 1949)

The Honorable Emil G. Gilbertson

Emil G. Gilbertson, a resident of this city since 1930 and of the county for all of his life, died Saturday, November 5, 1949, at the Krohn Hospital, where he had been taken during the morning. He had been ill on Friday, suffering of a cold, but did not consent to go to the hospital until the next morning. He was 79 years of age. News of his death, due to a heart attack, shortly after noon, was a shock to family and friends alike. Mr. Gilbertson had not been too well of late, and had narrowly escaped an attack of pneumonia while on a recent visit at the home of his son, Mahlon, in Toledo, Ohio.

Mr. Gilbertson, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Iver Gilbertson, pioneers of the Town of Irving, was born September 14, 1870, and had lived on the Irving homestead farm until 1930 when he built an attractive home on Main Street and moved to this city. His son, Harvey, has continued to operate the home farm, which will shortly pass into the fourth generation of the family, for his daughter and her husband will operate the farm when he and his wife move into their new home now in course of construction in the second ward. Emil G. Gilbertson looked forward to the completion of the home and his son moving to town.

He was married July 30, 1896, to Miss Mattie Stamstad. She passed away of a heart attack April 18, 1937, six years after they had moved to the city. Four sons were born to them: Harvey, of Irving; Mahlon, of Toledo, Ohio; survive and mourn the loss of their father, two sons preceded him in death: Irwin O. Gilbertson of Granton, and Edgar Gilbertson, of Wausau. He leaves ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

He is survived by two brothers and four sisters: Prof. George Gilbertson, of Sioux Falls, S. D., and Dr. Theodore L. Gilbertson, of Milwaukee; Mrs. Anna Sommervold, who, with her husband had made their home with Mr. Gilbertson in recent years; Mrs. Clara Norby, of Worthington, Minn.; Julia, Mrs. Neil Ford, and Ansena, Mrs. William McClellan, both of Rainy River, Ontario, Canada. His two brothers and Mrs. Norby came for the funeral.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon, with a prayer at the Ness Chapel and a service at 2 p.m. at the Little Norway Church, of which Mr. Gilbertson had been a faithful member. Services at the church were very largely attended. The Rev. Raymond P. Huss officiated. The song service consisted of a solo by Walter Stamstad, accompanied by Mrs. Bert Engebretson, and a selection by a men’s quartet, W. L. Gilbertson, A. L. Hansen, Perry and Calmer Overlien, with Mrs. A. L. Hansen as accompanist. The members of the county board of supervisors, of which Mr. Gilbertson had been chairman since 1935, attended in a body and were seated in the choir loft. Numerous former members, not now on the board, were in attendance. There were many beautiful flowers and numerous memorials. Flowers were in charge of Mesdames Carl Cadby, Clifford Nelson, and the Misses Grace Webb and Ruby Stamstad.

Pallbearers were O. H. Overlien, Helmer Hoagenson, Carl Monsos, Fred Rockney, Bernie Finch and Ed. O. Larkin. It is of interest to know that the first four served in a like capacity for Mrs. Gilbertson when she passed away in 1937. Her other tow pallbearers, Julius Haugstad and Adolph Thompson, have both passed away. Interment was made in Little Norway Cemetery by the side of his wife. The sympathy of all goes to his family.

Mr. Gilbertson has served the Town of Irving in various capacities and taken a deep interest in community affairs. He had been a member of the Jackson County Board of Supervisors for many years and served as chairman since 1935. He conducted the office with a quiet courtesy and efficiency. The board will be in session next week and he will be missed by his associates. He served Jackson County as Member of Assembly for two terms.

A very reliable man, as his father was before him, Mr. Gilbertson served faithfully in the legislature and on the county board. As a friend and neighbor he was one of the best at all times, and enjoyed the confidence and good will of all as a loyal citizen. Our city, county and state have lost a prominent and loyal citizen in his passing.

Among those from away who attended the funeral Tuesday were Mr. and Mrs. Mahlon Gilbertson and daughter Anne, of Toledo, Ohio; Dr. T. L. Gilbertson, of Milwaukee; Prof. George Gilbertson, of Sioux Falls, S. D.; Stanley Gilbertson of Springfield, Ill.; Miss Maxine Gilbertson, of Milwaukee; Mrs. Gertrude Gilbertson of Granton, and three children: Ervin, also of Granton, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Gilbertson of Chili and Mr. and Mrs. Ashbeck of Greenwood; Walter Stamstad of Rice Lake; Mrs. Clara Norby, of Worthington, Minn., and Mr. and Mrs. I. M. Abernathy of Fort Atkinson.