BROOKINGS — Eugene “Gene” Arthur Gilbert, 83, of Brookings, passed away Friday, February 2, 2018, surrounded by family
Funeral Services will be 10 a.m., today at Bethel Baptist Church in Brookings with burial to follow in Bethel Cemetery at rural Yale.
Gene was born March 13, 1934, in Brookings to Samuel and Birdeva (Rhine) Gilbert.
He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Verdi High School in Minn. He entered the Air Force in 1954, and served in Germany and Japan. He was honorably discharged in 1957.
He was united in marriage to Ellen Kleinsasser in April of 1960. He earned his B.S. from Tabor College and taught science in Doland and Alexandria. He became a South Dakota Health Inspector based in Brookings for 22 years and was a member of Bethel Baptist Church.
Gene is survived by his children, Timothy (Marlene) Gilbert of Erie, Colo., Ruth (Paul) Manson of Huron, and Susan (Dr. Timothy Collins) Gilbert-Collins; seven grandchildren; siblings, Ivan (Marjean) Gilbert of Fargo, N.D., Jeannine (Lou) Beasley of Hanover, Minn., Kathleen Priester of Hastings, Minn., James Gilbert of Hopkins, Minn., and Lureen (George) Beasley of Crown Point, Ind.
He was preceded in death by his wife; siblings, John and Darlene; and brother-in-law, Donald.
Memorials will go to a local preschool program and can be sent to Ruth Manson.
Visit www.eidsnessfuneralhome.com
