Claudia Gilbertson

Claudia Gilbertson, 79, died on Friday, May 10, 2013 at her home in rural Barneville, MN under the care of hospice and her family. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM, Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at Hope Lutheran Brethren Church in Barnesville, MN with Rev. Manley Olsoe and Darrin Shaw officiating. Burial will follow in Gran Cemetery, rural Rollag, MN. Visitation will be held from 5-8 PM, Monday, May 13, 2013 at Dobmeier Funeral Home with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Tuesday. Claudia Delores Bekkerus was born on April 29, 1934 at Prairie View Township in Wilkin County, MN rural Barnesville, MN to Albert Christian and Hilda Thea (Skogen) Bekkerus. Claudia grew up in rural Clay County and attended country schools and then Barnesville High School, graduating in 1952. She graduated from St. Lukes School of Nursing in Fargo in 1955. She was united in marriage to Gordon Orvin Gilbertson on October 28, 1955 at the Assembly of God Church in Barnesville, MN. She worked as a registered nurse in Fargo, Chicago, IL and Newport News, VA while Gordon served in the military. After Gordons military service, they made their home east of Barnesville, MN where they farmed and raised their family. She worked as one of the first nurses for the Barnesville Nursing Home when it opened. She was a stay at home mom. She enjoyed studying the family tree. She was a quilter and made many quilts to share with her family and was an avid reader. She is survived by her husband Gordon, Barnesville, MN, four children: Robert Bob (Kim) Gilbertson of Barnesville, MN, Marlene (Dale) Neuschwander of Barnesville, MN, Lucille Lucy (Phil) Kemper of Fargo, ND, Arthur (Michele) Gilbertson of Kindred, ND, nine grandchildren: Jessica, David, Ruth, Elizabeth, Joshua Gilbertson, Emily Kemper, Benjamin, Cameron, and Levi Gilbertson, four siblings: Arlene (Orrie) Gilbertson of Pelican Rapids, MN, Harriet Tillotson of Barnesville, MN, Merlyn Bekkerus of Barnesville, MN, Alan (Grace)Bekkerus of Thompson, ND, and many nieces and nephews. Claudia was preceded in death by her parents, brother in law Willis Tillotson, nephew Keith Tillotson. The family says a special thank you to Kind-er Care and Hospice of the Red River Valley for the gentle care of Claudia.