March 11, 1925 – Monday, September 8, 2008

Service Information
Zion Lutheran Church of Buffalo
Saturday, September 13, 2008
1pm

Visitation Information

Esther L. Gilbertson, 83, of Buffalo died peacefully Monday, September 8th, 2008 at the Park View Care Center.

Esther Lorraine Hanson was born near Minneota Minnesota, the second child of Rudolph and Caroline (Benson) Hanson on March 11th, 1925. Esther grew up on the farm with her older brother, Harvey and younger sister, Carol. On June 4, 1944, Esther married Jervin (Butch) Gilbertson. They lived Lanesboro Minnesota, Forada Minnesota, St. Paul Minnesota before the family moved to Buffalo Minnesota in 1969. Together Jervin and Esther had five children. After Butch retired from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources they enjoyed traveling by car to Yellowstone National Park, San Diego, CA, Washington, D.C. and the Texas coast. Esther continued to travel with friends and family and be active in church, social and civic activities after Butch died in 1985. She was an inspiration to others as she lived out her favorite saying: “Everyday is a beautiful day, if you make it that way!”

Esther is preceded in death by her husband: Jervin (Butch); sons: Gary and Alan; grandsons: Jon and Nathan; parents: Rudolph and Caroline Hanson; and by her siblings: Harvey Hanson and Carol White.

She is survived by children: Judy (Barry) Morse of Buffalo, Doug (Sharon) Gilbertson of Grand Rapids, and Donald (Sandra) Gilbertson of Hutchinson; 6 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; brother-in-law Roger (Barbara) Gilbertson of Federal Way, WA; and many nieces, nephews, good friends and other relatives.

A celebration of Esther’s life will be conducted on Saturday, September 13th, 2008 at 1pm at the Zion Lutheran Church of Buffalo. Interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials to the American Lung Society.