Helen L. Gilbertson, 88, of Minnewaukan, ND, passed away Friday, July 20, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Society in Devils Lake. Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday July 25, 2018 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in rural Minnewaukan with Pastor Harold Ovre officiating. Visitation will take place from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Tuesday July 24, 2018 at the Nelson Funeral Home in Maddock and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be held in the St. Olaf Lutheran Church Cemetery. Music will be provided by Paula Duren and Turi Hanson. Casket Bearers will be Donnie Buckmier, Mitch Weed, Brian Lysne, Tim Kallenbach, Lonnie Griffin and Bruce Georgeson.

Helen was born December 14, 1929 to Almer and Emma (Vick) Wheatman in Winneshiek County, IA. She was educated in Ridgeway Public School.  Helen was united in marriage to Lyle V. Gilbertson on October 12, 1948 at Decorah Lutheran Parsonage in Decorah, IA.  They were married 69 years and made their home on the farm near Minnewaukan, raising two children, Carolyn and Carl. Helen helped on the farm with field work, milking cows, cooking and other various chores.  She also worked as a waitress and server in several area restaurants and clubs.

Family, faith and friends were Helen's top priorities in life. She was a member at St. Olaf Lutheran Church and Ladies Aid where she held various offices and taught Sunday school. Helen enjoyed traveling, visiting with her family, watching Molly B's Polka Party and dancing.  A few special traveling trips were to Hawaii, the Nordic Fest in Decorah and the Hostfest in Minot.  She also traveled with friends to the casino for country shows, playing slots and of course buffets.  Helen enjoyed baking and sharing with family and friends her special pineapple nut cookies, waffle turtle cookies and sour cream chocolate chip cookies.

Helen was a faithful Sunday viewer of the Christian Worship Hour, reading her pastor's sermons each week and reading her daily devotions every morning when health issues caused her to be homebound. She regularly attended daily devotions after entering the Good Samaritan Home in Devils Lake on October 2, 2017.

The family would like to give a special thank you to caregivers at Helen's home, the Memorial Home in Maddock and Good Samaritan Society in Devils Lake.

Helen is survived by her husband of 69 years, Lyle; daughter, Carolyn (Ron) Gotteberg of Halstad, MN; son, Carl (Marlez) Gilbertson of Minnewaukan, ND; four grandchildren, Tamera (Joe May) Reile, Barbara (Chris) Runck, Rebecca (Mike) Kastenbauer and Troy (Sandra) Reile; 10 great-grandchildren, Tyson, Ryan (Lauren), Austin, Ashley, Louis, Ellia, Josie, Manuel (Leah), Sara (Cale) and Steven; three great-great granchildren, Rosemary, Diana and Ethan; sisters-in-law, Charlotte Wheatman and Ardis Klotzbach; numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Almer and Emma (Vick) Wheatman; brother, Alvin; sister, Elsie Neste; several brothers and sisters-in-law.