Pearl Gilbertson

Pearl C. Gilbertson, age 96, of Decorah, Iowa, died Monday, March 2, 2020 at Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 5, 2020 at Madison Lutheran Church in rural Ridgeway, IA, with Rev. Jim Scaife officiating. Burial will be in the Madison Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., one hour before the service, at Madison Lutheran Church. Pearl Charlotte Gilbertson was born July 11, 1923, in Calmar Township, Winneshiek County, to Joseph Oliver and Myrtle Charlotte (Wheatman) Flaskerud. She was baptized August 12, 1923 at the Calmar Lutheran Church by Rev. J. W. Preus. On June 5, 1938 she was confirmed at the First Norwegian Lutheran Church in Decorah by Rev. T. A. Hoff. Pearl attended parochial and public schools and graduated from Ridgeway High School. She attended Luther College for one year and taught country school for three years. Pearl was united in marriage to Gerald Raymond Gilbertson June 17, 1948 at First Lutheran Church in Decorah. After working with Jerry’s uncle, Gilbert, for ten years on the family farm, they purchased their own farm 3-1/2 miles south of Ridgeway. Together, they farmed there for over 60 years before moving to town in 2011. They were married over 71 years. Pearl enjoyed gardening and cooking. Family favorites were her homemade donuts dipped in sugar or dark Karo syrup, pickled beets and bread & butter pickles. All the produce was fresh from her garden. In later years, Pearl and Jerry enjoyed traveling to North Dakota, South Dakota, Louisiana and Florida. What Pearl’s nieces & nephews remember most about her is her very special laugh. Her name fit her perfectly, she was a real Pearl. Pearl is survived by her husband, Gerald (Jerry) of Decorah, brother-in-law, Les Branhagen of Decorah, and many nieces & nephews and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Arlene Tveter on October 13, 2004, sister Ruth Branhagen on September 3, 2016, and one brother in infancy.