Clifford E. Gilbertson

Clifford E. Gilbertson, 83, of Holmen, passed away Tuesday Feb. 10, 2015 at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center. He was born March 7th, 1931 to Clifford and Mable (Sjuggerud) Gilbertson of Stevenstown, the 4th of 7 children. He married Joyce Holter on April 2nd, 1955 in Holmen.
He attended Mindoro High School and studied woodworking and business administration at Western Technical College. He served in the Army during the Korean Conflict. He was employed by Radford Company and State Farm Insurance. After studying French for a year in Paris, Cliff and Joyce served for 10 years in Cameroon, Central Africa, with the ALC Division of World Missions, where his work included construction, house parenting, and missions Station administration.
They returned in 1977 to the La Crosse area. Cliff was employed by St Rose Convent for 20 years where he was blessed by the friendship of the sisters. This kind, gentle man will be missed by all who knew him. The family is very grateful for the compassionate care Cliff received from his home healthcare givers and also from the staff at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center.
He is survived by his wife Joyce Gilbertson; three children; Charles (Deborah) Gilbertson of Woodbridge, VA, Laura (Tim) Bertsche of Morton, IL, Mark (Kim) Gilbertson of Duluth, MN and six grandchildren; David (Callie) Bertsche, Mika Bertsche, Erik Bertsche, Max Gilbertson, Ben Gilbertson, Stephanie Gilbertson; two siblings; Arlone (Joe) McCabe of Holmen, WI, and Edward (Sherry) Gilbertson of Melrose, WI; one sister-in-law, Ruth Gilbertson of Onalaska, WI and by many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Alice and three brothers; Merlin, Ernest, and Larry Gilbertson.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, February 14th at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Onalaska, WI, with visitation beginning at 9:30 AM. Rev. Donald Stein will officiate with interment following in Lewis Valley Lutheran Cemetery, rural Holmen. Memorials may be given to the Building Fund of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church.