September 22, 1925 – Friday, July 14, 2017
Service Information
Buffalo Ev. Covenant Church – Buffalo
Friday, July 21, 2017
12:00 p.m.
Visitation Information
Buffalo Ev. Covenant Church – Buffalo
Thursday, July 20, 2017
4-7 p.m.
Robert Aaron Gilbert, 91, of Buffalo, Minnesota passed away on Friday July 14, 2017. Born in Buffalo to Willard and Martha (Dixon) Gilbert on September 22, 1925, Robert lived all but a few months of his life at the Gilbert Family Farm in Rockford Township and graduated from Buffalo High School in 1944. He married the love of his life, Joyce Anderson on June 22, 1950. Robert, Joyce and Grandma Martha worked the farm and raised two children, Minda and Reid. The Gilberts ran a dairy farm until 1986 and also raised, beef cattle, chickens and pigs along with growing crops. He was a long time member of the Buffalo Covenant Church. For decades Robert and Joyce served as fire wardens for Rockford Township. Other interests included Farm Bureau, Food For Life and Wright Hennepin Electric Operation Roundup . A regular at farm and estate auctions, Robert added to his many different collections. He delighted in showing visitors his “attic” and stumping them about the purpose of his many antique tools. The Gilbert Farm hosted many family gatherings and reunions over the decades.
Preceded in death by parents Willard & Martha (Dixon) Gilbert, wife Joyce (Anderson) Gilbert, sister Helen Bakke.
Survived by sister Joan Christiansen; children Minda (Gary) Hill, Reid (Terri) Gilbert; grandchildren Jennie (Brian) Dobson, Nathan Hill, Lindsey Gilbert, Emily Gilbert, Audrey Gilbert; great grandchildren Sky & Sula Boley, Henrik & Magnus Dobson.
Fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews, in-laws cousins and friends.
Reid and Minda; So sorry for your loss. I will always remember staying there when I was little and helping around the farm. (Back in 1966 when my dad gave me a go cart and I went around the cottonwood tree in front of he house for hours). And also getting in trouble with Jack Korthoff for leaving our bikes in the ditch which Robert was cutting that day. We didn’t get our butts spanked but we should have. And I also remember Aunt Martha always cooking on the wood burning stove in the kitchen. Needless to say there was always something sweet to eat. I know there are many more stories, but the list is too long to mention. Wishing you well. Karl K.
My kids would talk about papa when ever they came back from the farm with Audrey. Very fond memories. My condolences to the family.
Stacie, Chris, Crystal and Tyler
Minda and Reid: I did not know until today of Bob’s death – already 2 years ago, almost to the day. Such good memories and such a good man. May God bless you is you carry on the Gilbert name.