Duane Gilbertson

Duane Willard Gilbertson, age 78 of Hudson, formerly of Ellsworth, died March 20, 2023 at the Prescott Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Duane was born on July 24th, 1944 in Red Wing, Minnesota; the son of Marvin and Wilma Gilbertson. He attended Maiden Rock Elementary School prior to graduating from Plum City High School.  As a young man, he enlisted in the Armed Forces and proudly served in the United States Army. On April 28, 1973, he was married to Betty Ann Brenner. To this union, three children were born; Wendy, Reggie, and Amy.

Duane worked in manufacturing his entire adult life. He began working at Chrysler for a few years before being employed for the next 40 years for Ford Motor Company-Twin Cities Assembly Plant (TCAP). He was through and through a Ford man and always up for a debate to show off his pride.

Duane enjoyed the outdoors. Many memories were made with the children fishing as he loved trolling for walleyes or sand pike. He also looked forward to spending time with family fishing Big Round Lake. He was an avid deer hunter who also tried his aim at pheasants, rabbits, and squirrels. His mother taught him the art of cooking and was crafty in the kitchen stirring up some jambalaya or baked beans.

Duane is survived by his wife of fifty years Betty; children Wendy Gilbertson of River Falls, Reggie Gilbertson of Hudson, Amy (Cory) Gilbertson-Dodge of Hager City; grandchildren Breanna (Benjamin) Wolff, Caden Johnston, Jaxson Johnston, Kelsey (Chad) Hager, Zachary Gilbertson, Josie Dodge, Kinley Dodge; great granddaughter Harlow Hager; siblings Larry Gilbertson, Lamoine Gilbertson, Carleen (Donald) Gilles, step brothers Randy (Debbie) Diesing, Ricky (Sara) Diesing; as well as his nieces and nephews.  His father Marvin Gilbertson,  mother Wilma Diesing, and step father Francis ‘Bubs’ Diesing precede him in death.

Mass of Catholic Burial for Duane Gilbertson will be Friday, March 24th at 11:30am at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Ellsworth. Click here to watch livestream. Burial will be in the Clayfield Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10am to 11:30am prior to the mass at St. Francis Friday morning. Memorial preferred to the discretion of the family. Funeral services entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Ellsworth, www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com , 715-273-4421