Gilbertson, Vernon Lester -- 1917 - 2004

GILBERTSON, BAKKEN, HEADINGTON, HOTVEDT, ELSTAD, EDDE, ROSENDAHL, KRUCHEK, BERGE

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 7/24/2012 at 17:40:12

Vernon L. Gilbertson, age 86 of Decorah, died on Friday, May 28, 2004 at Aase Haugen Home in Decorah of heart failure.

Funeral Service is on Wednesday, June 2, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. at Decorah Lutheran Church in Decorah, IA by Rev. James Glesne with burial in the Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah, IA.

Visitation is on Tuesday, June 1, 2004 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Fjelstul Funeral Home with a V.F.W. Memorial Service at 7:00 pm, and on Wednesday after 10:00 am at the church.

Vernon Lester Gilbertson was born August 17, 1917 in Decorah, IA, to Alfred and Isabelle (Bakken) Gilbertson. The family lived on a farm west of Decorah in Madison Township. Vernon was baptized September 9, 1917 and later confirmed at Madison Lutheran Church. He graduated from Decorah High School with the class of 1935.

Vernon entered the U.S. Navy in February 1937 as an Apprentice Seaman. He served at the US Naval Training Station in San Diego, California; aboard the USS Trenton and the USS Altait. He was honorably discharged in February 1941 and then re-enlisted in the US Navy in March of 1941. Vernon was again stationed in San Diego, California. He later served on the USS Cinchona in Bremerton, WA, and aboard the USS Honolulu in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Vernon was honorably discharged in September of 1945 having obtained the rank of Chief Boatswain Mate.

Vernon was united in marriage with Evelyn Bernice Headington on May 1, 1947 in Clear Lake, IA.

Vernon operated Decorah Tent & Awning Company. He received his Barber’s certificate in July 1953 and was a Barber on Water Street in Decorah, across from the theater. He purchased Harry’s Barber Shop on Washington Street in 1987. Vernon later semi-retired and worked with Edgar Stinson until he moved the shop to his back porch on Decorah Avenue where he continued working up until he had surgery in May of 2002. Vernon has been a resident of the Aase Haugen Home in Decorah since April 10, 2004.

Vernon died Friday, May 28, 2004 at Aase Haugen Home in Decorah at the age of 86 of heart failure.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Bernice on November 24, 2001; his brother, Orin Gilbertson; and his sister, Olive Hotvedt.

He is survived by his daughter, Jerielynn Elstad of Blaine, MN; his grandson, Craig Scott Elstad of Savage, MN; his four sisters, Arlene Edde of Ossian, IA, Norma Rosendahl of Osage, IA, Margaret (George) Kruchek of Decorah, IA, and Inez (Joseph) Berge of Decorah, IA; and his brother, Robert (Charleen) Gilbertson of Decorah.

Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database

Lutheran Cemetery, Decorah
 

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