Gary Gilbertson

Gary Gilbertson, age 75, of Waukon, IA, formerly of Waterville, IA, died peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on January 26, 2025, after a long battle with COPD.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 3rd, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, IA, with Father Joseph Sevcik officiating. Friends may greet the family from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services on Monday at the church. Burial with military honors will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Waterville Community Center.
Gary Gordon Gilbertson was born March 22, 1949, in Waukon, IA, the son of Gordon and Donna (Campbell) Gilbertson. Gary graduated from Allamakee Community High School in 1967. Following high school, he served for four years in the Navy as a helicopter mechanic and crewman on the USS Iwo Jima.
On May 27, 1972, Gary married the love of his life, Jean Marie Howes, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in
Waukon, IA. They had three children: Amy Gilbertson (Mark Jackson) of San Marcos, TX; Jessie (Adam) Krause of McCallsburg, IA; and Nick Gilbertson (Luke Peterson) of Boone, IA. Gary had three grandchildren: Nora, Mia, and Henry Krause. In addition to his children and grandchildren, Gary is survived by his siblings: Greg (Sue) Gilbertson, Becky (Don) Quijano, and Kim (Jerome) Amos. He is also survived by his in-laws: Bill (Carol) Hancock, Betty Ryan, Ann (Charlie) Byrnes, John (Lila) Hancock, Lindy Howes, and Mary (Kevin) Plotz, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Donna Gilbertson; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Connie Howes; and in-laws Shirley and Jude Hermsen, Jim Howes, and Dave Aswegan.
Urn bearers are Dennis Mahr, Dale Urell, Larry Byrnes, Josh Howes, Austin Plotz, and Luke Aswegan.
Gary absolutely loved listening to music, having a cold beer, telling a good joke, and spending time with his grandchildren. He expressed deep gratitude to the Patterson Creek Social Club for sharing some of their vast stores of knowledge with him over the years. Gary thoroughly enjoyed his retirement years by reading everything he could get his hands on, spending time with family, and traveling to Texas.
Gary wished to express his gratitude to the VA in Decorah and Iowa City for the wonderful care he received, and to Heather at the Allamakee County Veterans Affairs for all her help over the years. Gary also wanted to say thank you to WinnMed Hospice for the superb care, specifically to his nurse, Sam, and his aide, Stacy. Finally, Gary wanted to thank librarians for all the great reads.
Life just won't be the same without Gary Gilbertson to make us all laugh. Thank you for being the best husband, Dad, and Papa we could ever ask for.
Breathe easy, Dad. We love you.