Donald Gilbertson

November 24, 1924 - February 26, 2010

Donald Norral Gilbertson was born November 24, 1924 at Eastedge, ND, the son of Alfred and Luella (Johnson) Gilbertson. He was baptized and confirmed at the Waldheim Lutheran Church, rural Kathryn, ND. He was a lifelong member of the Waldheim Church. Donald attended school at Eastedge. In early 1944, he was drafted into the Marine Corps, he served in the invasion of Saipan and Okinawa, and he was also stationed in Japan. After his discharge in 1946, he and his brother, Mylo, had a gas station in Nome, ND. He married Mayvis Person in March 1950, they sold the station. Donny and Mayvis then moved to Port Orchard, WA where he worked in the Navy Yard, they also lived in Entiat, WA, where he worked as a carpenter. When they moved back to ND he continued carpentry and eventually went into business for himself. Donny then farmed at rural Kathryn for about 25 years, but returned to carpentry, which he continued until his death. He was a member of the Kathryn School Board. Donny was a lifetime member of the VFW and also a member of the Nome American Legion. Donny is survived by his wife, Mayvis; three sons, Terry (Claudia) of Valley City, Steven of Minneapolis, MN and Jeff of Valley City; three grandchildren, Christine, Josh, and Sara all of Valley City; two sisters, Audrey Smith and Ruth Nelson of Kathryn; four brothers, Gordon (Audrey), Mylo (Dawn), Dennis (Carol), and Harold (Marjie) all of Jamestown, ND; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Norman and Wesley.