Ed was born on May 4, 1926 in Rock Dell, Minnesota. The son of Ruth and Harold Gilbertson, Ed went to Hayfield High School and later Stewartville High School where he graduated in 1944. He lettered in basketball.

Ed married his life partner Idelette ‘Penny’ Bartsch on May 11, 1947. They enjoyed over 70 years of life together until Penny’s death in 2015.

From 1944 to 1956, Ed worked at the Libby’s plant in Rochester Minnesota. In 1957 and 1958, while in South Dakota, Ed worked at Missile Construction in Rapid City and as an underground miner at the Homestake Gold Mine in Lead. From 1959 to 1961 Ed worked for US Steel Corp in Virginia, Minnesota as a Research Engineer in a taconite pilot plant. Ed joined the 3M Company in 1961 and worked as an engineer in various capacities for over 34 years, retiring in 1995.

Ed valued education. He received a PhD in Engineering Management from Kennedy Western University (2000), a MA Liberal Studies from Hamline University (1987), a BA Business from the University of Minnesota (1973), and a BS Engineering from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (1959). Ed also did graduate work in Sociology and Psychology at St. Olaf College and the University of Minnesota. Ed was a Licensed Professional Industrial Engineer and a member of the International Accountants Society.

Ed tried to balance reflection with connection. He accomplished this with dancing, service, travel, and reading. Ed and Penny danced for over 38 years with various square dancing, ballroom dancing, and folk dancing groups including the Minnesota Schuhplattlers and the Sundowners. An avid church goer, Ed was the treasurer at three of the churches to which he belonged. He attended Woodbury United Methodist Church for over 35 years. Ed was active in various Masonic organizations for over 50 years achieving multiple titles and designations. Ed and Penny, with quiet persistence and great fondness, traveled to all 50 states and several countries abroad.

Reading was an important part of Ed’s life. There were many years he read over 100 books, logging them on note cards to enhance his knowledge and memory.

Ed is preceded in death by his mother Ruth, father Harold, loving wife Penny, sisters-in-law Katie and Laura, brothers-in-law Bill and Frank, niece Julie, nephew Richard and grandniece Krisleah.

Ed is survived by his son, Frank (Joan) Gilbertson, grandchildren Carl and Mary Gilbertson, sister Muriel Sands, niece Shirley (Keith) Schlender, nephew Leo (Nancy) Bonsor, and other loving relatives and friends.

Ed’s gentle and curious spirit will be greatly missed by his family and all those who knew him.

The private service will be livestreamed starting on Sunday, January 10th at 12:00 pm on the Wulff Woodbury Facebook page at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/Wulff-Woodbury-Funeral-Home-162790153745901. This video will still be available on that page after the service for those who have missed the livestream.

Visitation is Sunday, January 10th from 12:30 - 2:30pm at Wulff Funeral Home in Woodbury, 2195 Woodlane Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125.

We will be following Minnesota COVID mandates and guidelines; please wear a mask, practice social distancing, and frequently use hand sanitizer which will be available throughout the building. Capacity is limited to 50% at this time – please be patient as we may ask you to wait outside until our indoor capacity will allow entrance.

Please share your memories, stories, photos, and condolences below. These messages and photos will be printed into a keepsake book for Ed’s family later this year.

Family requests memorials to the following organizations:

1) Minnesota Stroke Association - 2277 MN-36 #200, Roseville, MN 55113 https://strokemn.org/donate/campaigns/donate/

2) Animal Humane Society – Donor Services Dept 845 Meadow Lane N, Golden Valley, MN 55422 https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/donate/make-gift