James E. Gilbertson

FUNERAL HOME

Washburn-McReavy Holcomb-Henry-Boom-Purcell Shoreview Funeral Chapel

515 Highway 96 West

Shoreview, Minnesota

James Gilbertson Obituary

Beloved Husband, Father Grandfather & Brother Age 69 of Shoreview on December 31, 2009. Survived by loving wife, Susan of 32 years; daughters, Kimberly O'Leary, Heather (Matt) McGill; grandchildren, Tanner, Kyle, Brady & Sarah; sisters, Pat Kassekert, Beverly (Todd) Heilicher; sister-in-law Rita (Richard) Zurek; many nieces and nephews. Jim was a longtime employee of Allied Plastics in Coon Rapids. Mass Of Christian Burial Tuesday 11:00 AM at ST. ODILIA CATHOLIC CHURCH; 3495 N. Victoria, Shoreview. Visitation Monday 4-8 PM at HOLCOMB-HENRY-BOOM-PURCELL FUNERAL HOME; 515 W. Hwy 96 at Mackubin, Shoreview and Tuesday from 10:00 AM until time of service at church. Memorials preferred. 651-482-7606

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Published by Pioneer Press on Jan. 3, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for James Gilbertson

10 Entries

February 18, 2010

Dad,
I miss you so much. I thought that I could be the strong person you taught me to be, but I feel like I'm letting you down. For very selfish reasons, I'm missing you so very much and have a lot of hatred in my heart. I'm struggling to understand why you were taken from us so unexpectedly and so young. I remember the talk we had last Thanksgiving morning and it replays often in my mind. The "what ifs" are constantly in my mind. Not a day goes by that I don't think about you.

I'm sitting here in the chair you used to hold Sarah in and it just doesn't seem right or real. I can't believe you are gone. Though my dreams of walking with you down the aisle came true, and you were able to meet Sarah and spend a short while with her, I'm still struggling with your loss. I know it takes time and each day I feel as if I am making baby steps, but I think the numbness has faded and the realization is setting in. I'm sure there is some timeline to the grieving process, but I'm struggling to get through it quickly and on my time frame!

I miss you so much! I miss the way you would ask Sarah "Whats up hun?" and you would try to get her to talk back to you. I'm so sad for Sarah that she didn't get to have the bond with you that I had with your parents. Unfortunately, they too were taken from us at a young age. All I wanted was for Sarah to get an ounce of the love and warmth I felt from being with Grandma Edna and Grandpa Gil. I very selfishly wanted Sarah to have those memories and experiences of you. Unfortunately, those experiences can only be given through me and although I think I could never run out of stories to tell Sarah about her amazing grandpa; I was hoping she would have the opportunity to share her own experiences with her children. You were taken from us way too soon.

We celebrated Tanner's birthday last week and it became more real than ever that you are gone. You would be proud of Kyle, he caught me moping (mostly crying) on Tanner's birthday and told me to "take that look off your face." And he's not even 3 yet!! The little stinker! The boys asked where you were and we explained that you are watching over them in heaven.

It's not an anniversary, birthday or any other significant date, but this is just me taking a minute to tell you I love you and I miss you.

Kim and I are doing our best to take care of mom and I know you have your own ways of doing so too. Thanks for keeping her strong. I love you so much Dad. I know you are watching over us and protecting us.
You are always in my heart.
Love, Heather

Bev Heilicher

January 12, 2010

Dear Brother,
It seems strange to talk about you this way. It's tragic that you were taken from us at such a young age. The only inner peace is knowing that you died peacefully in your sleep.

Oh, the stories and the memories that you, me and Patty have. Some of those special memories are: The houses on James, Roselawn, and Skillman and the house in Alex - all of the having both the good and the bad times; going to the Midco Register and Plastic Inc. softball games; the Tues. night bowling with you and mom; going to Uncle Ollie's to get your new Pontiacs; the fishing boats, speedboats, and the pontoons; the Telena Club, Gangplank, and Government Point summer and winter fishing spots on LeHomme Dieu; teaching me how to water ski at Berg's and Bayview Resorts; the hunting trips with John in your motorhome; the Heibel and Gilbertson's family gatherings; you, I and Jim Gag going to the races at Donneybrooke Speedway; you being in the hospital for 45+ days with encephalitis and surviving it; and teaching me to bend and polish plastic on weekends and summer vacations.

The holidays also brought special memories of you making sure mom got her special white flocked Christmas tree while you worked at McLean's nursery; hand drawing and cutting the Santa, Sleigh, and reindeers and painting them all by hand and decorating the outside of the houses for all to enjoy; making sure that I always got a doll from you at Christmas; you getting me my ducks at Easter; you taking me to get Patty's new puppy and helping me put it at the front door in its own Easter basket to surprise her. You being mom's protector when dad had issues.

Then you met and began dating the "girl next door" and your marriage to her. Your two beautiful daughters that you have and your four special grandchildren which became your heart and soul to guide and protect them. They will now have to fill their voids and learn how truly a great man you were by our stories and memories we share with them about you.

Besides being my brother, you were a truly gifted artist, designer, craftsman and most of all a protector. Rest in peace and know that you will be missed.

Your baby sister,

Heather

January 9, 2010

Dad,
Your rememberance said it best that you provided a lifestyle for Kim and I that most people would envy. I'm sure I said it, but I feel as though it hasn't been said enough.
Thank you.
Thank you for the many nights you stayed up late making plex, so that I could have a swimming pool, new car and many other things that my peers did not. Thank you for withstanding freezing temps just to put up holiday decorations for everyone to enjoy. Thank you for the sweet ducklings we received at Easter. Thank you for showing me that if you worked hard, you would be rewarded. Thank you for unconditionally loving me, through the best and worst times in our lives. Thank you for standing behind me in my decisions and encouraging me to dream big. Thank you for not judging me. Thank you for creating so many wonderful memories for me to share with Sarah. Thank you for being you. For sharing your stories and experience and for being my idol. I miss you very much and love you dearly. It's not good bye, but that I'll see ya later. Love ya!

Jane Hunter

January 5, 2010

I worked with Jim at Allied Plastics for years.I enjoyed working with him.He was nice positive guy.I missed him when we went to immedia.
My prayers' go out to the family.I know he will be missed alot.

Scott LaRue

January 5, 2010

Jim and I worked together at Allied Plastics for nearly 20 years. I remember him as a gentle, thoughtful positive person. My condolances to his family and freinds. He will be remebered well and greatly missed

Jan Withiam

January 5, 2010

My thoughts and prayers are with you Heather and with your family. I am very sorry for your loss.

George Carnahan

January 4, 2010

I have worked with Heather for a few years now and met her father once when he came into the office. I am so sorry to hear about his passing and my thoughts are with Heather and her family.

Jason Lambright

January 4, 2010

Although I never got to meet Mr. Gilbertson I can imagine the caliber of human the world lost based solely on knowing and working with his daughter Heather. My heart goes out to your family as do my prayers. Now more than ever look to each other. There you will find memories, comfort, and love, a love that will continue to grow and flurish in the memory of a great man who will always be a part of it! God Bless.

Valessa Caspers

January 4, 2010

Gilbertson Family, I work with Heather at Nystrom, Inc. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Dale Rosdahl

January 4, 2010

I worked with Jim for several years at Allied Plastics and he will be missed by many. I enjoyed working with Jim and my thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Dale Rosdahl

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