Eldon Arthur Gilbertson, 75, of rural Albert Lea died Friday, March 15, 2019, at his home in rural Albert Lea.

Eldon was born Aug. 14, 1943, in Austin at St. Olaf Hospital to Arthur and Sylvia (Nordby) Gilbertson. He attended Austin High School, graduating in 1961.

On Jan. 3, 1964, Eldon enlisted in the United States Air Force and served as an airplane mechanic. While in the Air Force, he was stationed in Bitburg, Germany, and Wheelus Air Base in Libya. Eldon was honorably discharged Dec. 15, 1967, and returned to Minnesota.

On July 20, 1985, Eldon was united in marriage to Della Gilbreath at Central Lutheran Church in Yakima, Washington.

Eldon farmed all his life in Moscow Township and did repair work on farm machinery.

He liked wine-making and tending to his vineyard. He loved horticulture, growing and gardening flowers and loved children — he would play board games with them. He also had a strong bond with his cousin, Megan Erstad, whom Eldon taught how to make cookies for the fair.

Eldon spent his life caring for his family, his church, his friends and neighbors and for God’s creation. He spent many years on the church council, teaching Sunday school, being the Sunday school superintendent and taking care of the Moscow Lutheran Church building.

Eldon was a member of American Legion Post 91 in Austin. He proudly displayed a flag in his yard and on Memorial Day weekend, Eldon placed flags on the servicemen’s graves. He will be dearly missed.

Survivors include his wife, Della Gilbertson, of Austin; three sisters, Sandra Olson of Glenville, Arlene (Donald) Foster of St. Peter and Nyla (Don) Lyon of Selah, Washington; two nieces, Kristine Edlund and Katherine (Robert) Norland; one nephew, Timothy Foster; four great-nephews; brother-in-law and sister-in-law; and many other relatives, friends and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Sylvia Gilbertson; brother-in-law, Keith Olson; and nephew-in-law, David S. Edlund.

Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Moscow Lutheran Church in rural Austin with the Rev. Peter Soli officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church Friday. Interment will be at a later date in Moscow Lutheran Cemetery in rural Austin. Military honors will be given by American Legion Post 91 and VFW Post 1216. Worlein Funeral Home of Austin is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.