Lester V. Gilbertson

Lester V. Gilbertson, 92, of Coon Valley died Sunday December 13, 2015 at Norseland Nursing Home in Westby. He was born December 23, 1922 to Gustave and Inga (Everson) Gilbertson. He graduated from Westby High School in 1941. Lester then worked for his father in the furniture and funeral business in Coon Valley before and after serving in World War II. He served his country in the U.S. Army Medical Corps for 33 months from April 1943 to January 1946 in North Africa, India, Burma and China. He was with Dr. Gordon Seagrave's unit, a portable medical/surgical unit, which was mostly in Burma during which he received the Bronze Star. He served as Postmaster in Coon Valley from July 1953 to January 1984.

On April 27, 1946 he married Betty Bruring, the love of his life, in La Crosse. They spent their entire married life in Coon Valley until he became a resident of Norseland Nursing Home in Westby in February 2014. He was honored to have belonged to the Coon Valley American Legion Post 116 for over 70 years. He was a faithful member of the Coon Valley Lutheran Church and served on its Council. He also served on the church cemetery board for over 30 years. Lester was privileged to and very proud to have taken the Freedom Honor Flight to Washington D.C. on September 22, 2012.

Three children were born to this union: Ina Cunningham of Walworth, Karl (Bonnie) Gilbertson of Viroqua, and Curtis (Gloria) Gilbertson of Byron, Minnesota; five grandchildren Ryan Johnson, Sonya (Michael) Gilson, Gena Gilbertson, Chad (Anne) Gilbertson and Maren (Zach) Bahler; eight great grandchildren, Travis, Owen, Aaron, Derek, Brynn, Gavin, Henry and Max.

He was preceded in death by his sister Ann Marie Gilbertson of Rochester, Minnesota.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday December 18, 2015 at the Coon Valley Lutheran Church with Rev. Mitzi Miyamoto officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with military honors by the Coon Valley American Legion Post 116. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until service time. Memorials may be given to the Coon Valley Lutheran Church or the Coon Valley American Legion Post 116.