Delores Gilbertson

Delores Niona (Ness) Gilbertson died on Saturday, October 8, 2022, in Alexandria, MN at the age of 87, surrounded by her family. Delores was born on September 30, 1935, in Barnesville, MN to Norman and Evelyn (Nelson) Ness.  She was raised on the family farm and graduated from Pelican Rapids High School.

On May 14, 1955, Delores was united in marriage to Roger Gilbertson at North Immanuel Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids. The couple made their home in Wadena, MN for over 40 years, where they were blessed with five children -- Lee, Rob, Lauri, Jon, and Beth.  Delores enjoyed the years she spent at home raising her young family. She also worked for many years at Wadena State Bank.

Delores and Roger began wintering in Benson, AZ after their retirement. Eventually they bought a home in Benson and spent their summers in Alexandria, MN. Delores was active at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wadena, United Methodist Church in Benson, and most recently, was a member of First Lutheran Church in Alexandria.

Delores and Roger loved to travel. During the summer, they would often take the whole family on camping trips out west to the Rockies, the Badlands, and the Grand Canyon. Later, they traveled across the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii.  They also visited Australia, central Europe, and Norway, the country where their families originated. Delores enjoyed sewing, quilting, playing cards, helping others with bookkeeping work and giving perms. She was a wonderful baker and enjoyed baking bread, cinnamon rolls, and lefse. She not only baked, but she also had a sweet tooth; ice cream was her favorite. Delores had a servant heart, always taking time to help others in need. She also had a great sense of humor, loved giving hugs, and always had a smile on her face. Above all else, Delores’s greatest passions were her faith and her family.

Delores is survived by her sons, Lee (Marilyn) Gilbertson of Minneapolis, MN; Rob (Pam) Gilbertson of Menahga, MN and Jon (Irina Storay) Gilbertson of Melbourne, Australia; daughter, Beth (Larry) Pappenfus of Alexandria, MN; son-in-law, Keith (Amy) Kuch of Mankato, MN; grandchildren, Heather Gross, Doug (Justina) Gilbertson, Meghan (John) Coleman, Alexei Ostrovoi, Aaron (Louise) Gilbertson, Eric Gilbertson, Nikki Gilbertson, Tyler (Jessica) Kuch, Jeff Pappenfus, Matt (Erin) Pappenfus and Laura (Mark) Meininger;  great-grandchildren, Tanner and Parker Gross; Makenah and Rebekah Gilbertson; Grace and Henry Coleman; Dora and Mickey Kuch; Rylee Pappenfus; Adaline Pappenfus; Kailey and Elliana Meininger; sister, Arlene Tweeton; and many nieces and nephews. Delores is preceded in death by her husband, Roger; daughter, Lauri Kuch, parents Norman and Evelyn Ness; and brothers, Kenny Ness and Arnie Ness.

Memorials are preferred to Knute Nelson Hospice or Grand Arbor Garden South Memory Care.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 29, 2022, at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria.  Visitation will be held from 9:30-11:00 AM at the church prior to the service.