Eunice Gilbertson 1931 – 2023

Eunice Audrey Gilbertson (Olson), age 92, of Bloomington, MN died peacefully on Tuesday, October 24th, surrounded by her children.
Eunice Gilbertson was born on January 18, 1931 in Sebeka, MN to Joe and Nora Olson. The second of eight close knit siblings, Eunice’s family farmed the land and broke up the hard work with music and dancing. Eunice was accomplished at both and had an encyclopedic knowledge of the lyrics to hundreds of church hymns and popular tunes of her day.
Eunice married her life partner, John A. Gilbertson, in 1953. They shared 69 years together in their home in Bloomington, MN where they raised their four children.
Eunice enjoyed gardening, playing tennis, summers at the cabin, trips to Hawaii, baking lefse and Christmas cookies, picking berries, spending time with her family and following politics. She was a life long Democrat and a champion for the underdog. Her philosophy for getting along with others was a shrug of the shoulders and, “it takes all kinds”. Eunice put everyone’s needs above her own except when playing a heated card game of hearts or whist where she spared no one with her keen intellect.
Eunice is survived by her siblings: Noni Grewing, Margie Tumberg, and Russell Olson; her children: Teri Brooks of Sauk Centre, MN, Reid (Laurel Drevlow) Gilbertson of Lake Elmo, MN, Karli Gilbertson of Chester, CT, and Marla Gilbertson of Minneapolis, MN. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Maressa (Josh) Rousslange, Karl (Meghan) Gilbertson, Reid (Annabel) Gilbertson, Nora Gilbertson, Sten Spinella, Sena Spinella, Elyse Ricigliano, and great grandchildren: Evan Rousslange, Leo and Cam Gilbertson.
She was preceded in death by her husband John, her parents, her son-in-law, Daniel Brooks, sisters Ardis Kreklau and Joanne Ruikka and brothers Claire Olson and Dennis Olson.
There will be a private memorial service with a date to be determined in the future.11-8pd