Obituary Posted: 5/11/05
Wendell Charles Gilbert, age 68 of Cannon Falls, died suddenly May 9, 2005, of natural causes. He was born Dec. 3, 1936, in Burlington, Vt., and grew up in St. Albans, Vt., where he graduated from Bellows Free Academy in 1954, attended University of Vermont at Burlington on a football scholarship, and graduated in 1961 from Mankato State University.
Survivors include his daughter, Elizabeth Jensen, a grandson, Adam, and former wife, Anne Dower Gilbert, all of Cottage Grove; a brother, George L. (Jeanette) Gilbert, of Mora; an aunt, Marge Olio, St. Albans; special friend, Hope LaVine, Cannon Falls; a nephew, Ty Gilbert, Rush City; and nieces Susan Franson, Wyoming, Minn., and Teri Sissel, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Wendell taught mathematics at Bricelyn, at Shattuck School in Faribault, and for 25 years in Rush City High School, where he also coached football, track, and basketball, and served as a teaching-contract negotiator. He farmed near Rush City, raising beef cattle. He is remembered as a substitute teacher in Cannon Falls, Kenyon, and Rosemount schools. He was a member of Vermont and Minnesota National Guard units, serving for several years at Camp Ripley as sergeant first class in the supply section.
Wendell liked working with computers ñ a science he also taught; other interests included genealogy, riding his Harley Davidson; watching sports, especially baseball, college teams, and high school tournaments; and seeing his grandson play soccer. He lately pursued his lifelong fascination with railroads, in the form of model trains, with the Red Wing Gandy Dancers. He will be missed for his intelligence, honesty, and wacky sense of humor that often lent itself to puns.
Visitation is Thursday, May 12, 5 to 8 p.m., at Lundberg Funeral Home, Hwys 52 and 19, Cannon Falls: (507) 263-4246. Memorials to the American Diabetes Assoc. are preferred in lieu of flowers. Funeral service and burial will be held in St. Albans, Vermont.
©ECM Post Review
6448 Main Street
North Branch, MN 55056
Telephone: 651-674-7025
Fax: 651-674-7026
E-mail: editor.postreview@ecm-inc.com