Marilyn Gilbertson

Marilyn Jean (Bahls) Gilbertson, age 79, of Pelican Rapids, MN, died Saturday, August 23, 2025 at Pelican Valley Senior Living, Pelican Rapids, MN. She finally went to heaven after a 7-year battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.

Marilyn was born to Harry and Helen (Skibitski) Bahls on June 29, 1946 at Perham, Minnesota. She was baptized, confirmed and married at St. Stanislaus Church in Perham. She lived on a farm in Gorman Township and attended school in Perham where she graduated in 1964.

Marilyn then worked for J.T. Miller Insurance Company in Minneapolis until she married David R. Gilbertson n 1966. After their marriage Marilyn and David resided in Buffalo, MN. The couple moved back to Pelican Rapids in 1970 where Marilyn did daycare, sold Avon and did bookkeeping for several businesses in the area including Cash and Dash, D.K’s Clothing, Montgomery Wards, Red River Valley Homes and Victory Homes Sales as well as her husband’s business of Dave’s Electric.

She was a charter member of the Community Service Club of Pelican Rapids where she served many offices. Marilyn was also a member of St. Leonard’s Catholic Church.

Marilyn enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, reading and crafts. She loved to travel and has been to all 50 states.

She is survived by her two children: Greg (Peggy) of Pelican Rapids; Rhonda Jo (Brian) Gilbertson Evans of Moorhead; four grandchildren: Amanda (Rob) Gertz, Megan (Caden) Summers, Eric Gilbertson, Lexi (Justin) Schulz; and nine great-grandchildren: Dru, Max, Ryan, Maren, Karsyn, Camryn, Winston, Brewer, Sophia; sisters: Barbara (Jerome) Petrin of Tigard, OR; Ann Marie (Joel) Bratvold of Ashby, MN; sister-in-law Linda Bahls of Fisher, MN; and many nieces and nephews.

­­­­She is preceded in death by her parents; husband David of 50 years, brother Jerome Bahls.

Mass: 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 5, 2025, at St. Leonard Catholic Church, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

Officiating: Father Lucho Palmino and Father Alan Wielinski

Interment: St. Leonard Catholic Cemetery, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota