Bryan Gilbertson

Bryan Arthur Gilbertson, 62, of Farwell, MN died Sunday, August 30th, 2020 at his home as the result of a lawn tractor accident.

Bryan Arthur Gilbertson was born on April 20th, 1958 in Alexandria, Minnesota, the third of four children born to Glen and Lorraine (Woessner) Gilbertson. He was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church of Hoffman in May of 1958.

As a young man, Bryan loved camping, scouting, fishing, farming, hunting, water skiing, scuba diving, working on cars and riding motorcycles. He loved the outdoors and often walked out to the farm and spent hours there working outside. He was very independent and self-driven. In 1976, he graduated from Hoffman High School.

Bryan was passionate about many industries and ended up spending 30+ years in aviation. He first earned his airframe and powerplant mechanics license and continued exploring his passion for aviation by earning his private pilot’s license.  Bryan loved aviation so much that he earned every other rating required to work as an airline pilot, flying for Continental, now United Airlines. In his most recent years, he enjoyed learning the art of farming, which he perfected on the Gilbertson Family farmland.  He also cherished the ability to spend more time with family.

There were never too many projects for Bryan to work on. He was always tinkering with machines, fixing houses, exploring and enjoying the outdoors.  Early in the morning, you could often find him sipping his coffee watching the deer or eagles.

As a proud father and grandfather, Bryan loved attending his grandchildren’s events and exploring nature with them, always quick to teach them an important lesson of appreciation or hard work. Bryan was the rock at the center of his family, and he will be terribly missed. In his community, he was loved and respected and many called him friend.  At the same time, he was very comfortable and at peace in his times of solitude.

At his core, he loved his family with his whole heart.

Bryan is survived by his daughters, Jennifer (Mike) Radke of Farmington, MN and Jamie Hoover of Alexandria, MN; his beloved grandchildren, Paul (16), Katelynn (14), Devon (12), and Sydney (9); his mother, Lorraine Gilbertson of Hoffman; his brother, Gary (Jessica) Gilbertson of Phoenix, AZ; two sisters, Lynda Olson of Denver, CO and Annette Gilbertson of Bend, OR; and special friend, Lora Wallgren.

He was preceded in death by his father, Glen Gilbertson; and an infant son, Paul Gilbertson.

Bryan’s family will celebrate his life with a visitation from 5 - 7 PM on Friday, at Erickson-Smith Funeral Home in Hoffman, MN.

Private Services will take place at 11 AM Saturday, September 5, 2020, with a live stream available on his memorial page at www.EricksonSmithFH.com. The family is requesting that all paying their respects wear masks to protect those at high risk.

Clergy: Pastor Mary Kaye Ashley

Interment: Union Cemetery, Elbow Lake

Arrangements by Erickson-Smith Funeral Home of Hoffman