Carol J. Gilbertson

Carol J. Gilbertson, aged 79, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, in Lake Jackson, TX. Carol was born November 24, 1942, in San Antonio, TX, to Ross and Rose Roberts. She met the love of her life, Ronald Gilbertson, at Bemidji State University in Bemidji, MN, and they married on August 17, 1963. They were blessed with three daughters, Denise, Laura, and Michelle. Before Ron's passing in 1995, his job took him and Carol to several cities to make their home, including San Antonio, TX, Nederland, TX, Portland, TX, Alamogordo, NM, and Aviano, Italy. In her years as a widow, Carol settled in Amarillo, TX, to be near family and her grandchildren, later moving to Rockwall, TX, and finally, Lake Jackson, TX, to be near her daughters. As a loving and supportive mother, Carol was always involved in her children's various activities as they were growing up. She was a devoted friend who held lifelong friendships. She was a long-time member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority and was active in several different chapters in the cities where she lived. While living in Portland, TX, she was also an active volunteer for the Corpus Christi Ballet Guild, at one time serving as president. She traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe, and opened her own travel agency in Amarillo, TX, to share her love of tourism with others. She was a creative person, designing and making jewelry, painting ceramics and other crafts. Carol also loved all kinds of games, from bridge to bunco to dominoes, and if there was a game of Trivial Pursuit in play, she was the one you wanted on your team. She had a big laugh and an even bigger heart, and she will be missed dearly by her family and friends. She is survived by her three daughters and their husbands, Denise and Sam Urick of Lake Jackson, TX, Laura and Jim Fritz of Pflugerville, TX, and Michelle and Todd Walz of Wylie, TX. She is also survived by her five grandsons, Ryan Fritz and wife Cailey of Taylor, TX, Kevin Keller of Tokyo, Japan, Austin Fritz of Ft. Collins, CO, Justin Walz and Tanner Walz, both of Wylie, TX, as well as two great-grandsons, Cyrus and Porter Fritz of Taylor, TX. Other survivors include brother-in-law Bruce Gilbertson and wife Betty of Ft. Atkinson, WI, sister-in-law Jean Busby of San Antonio, TX, brother-in-law Marvin Huiras of New Ulm, MN, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Gilbertson, parents Ross and Rose Roberts, brother George (Billy) Busby, mother-in-law Joyce Gilbertson, and sister-in-law Judith Huiras. The family would like to extend their deepest thanks to the staff at Oak Village Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation in Lake Jackson, A-Med Community Hospice, and the wonderful home-health caregivers who helped care for her in her final years. Those wishing to express their sympathy may wish to consider donations in Carol's name to her favorite charity, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Service Information 11:00 am Monday, August 1, 2022 St. Mary's Catholic Church-Sleepy Eye 636 1st Ave. North Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085 Interment Information 12:00 pm Monday, August 1, 2022 Home Cemetery 700 St. Mary's St. N.E. Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085