Frank Louis Gilbert

Memorial service for Frank Gilbert, age 86, of Milaca, will be held Saturday, November 24, 2012 at 11 AM at Milaca United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Woo Jae Im officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery in Milaca. Visitation will be 2 hours prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Military honors will be provided by Hansen-Hayes American Legion Post #178 and Siemers-Hakes VFW Post #10794. Arr. Peterson-Johnson Funeral Home of Milaca. Frank Louis Gilbert was born November 17, 1926 in Milaca, MN to Fay C. and Anna M. (Smith) Gilbert. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Milaca High School in 1944. Frank earned a four year scholarship to Texas A&M, but the day before he was to leave, his father broke his leg and Frank stayed to help on the family farm for a time. He married Grace Wanquist in 1949 and to this marriage four children were born. Frank served in the National Guard from 1951-1952 and taught tank gunnery at Camp Rucker, AL. After completing his service, he moved his family back to the Milaca area, where he farmed for several years. He became a journeyman carpenter and worked for many years in construction. Frank married Honor Diffan in 1982. They made their home in Minneapolis for a short time before moving near Grand Rapids, MN. There they retired and spent time gardening, fishing and enjoying the beauty of nature. Frank was very creative and inventive and always enjoyed working on projects. He enjoyed building and repairing clocks, learning new things, teaching his grandchildren and challenging them to “expand their horizons”. He even learned computer technology and tutored adults at the local college at the age of 75. Frank and Honor moved to Milaca in 2007, where they resided until the time of his death. Frank passed away Saturday, November 17, 2012 at the Milaca Elim Home. He is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Honor; four children, Kathy Ericksen of Otsego, Cindy (Dick) Johnson of Milaca, Dale (Sharon) of Milaca and Chris (Jerri) of Milaca; step-daughter, Millie Balko of Minneapolis; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; several step-children and step-grandchildren, many special nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Wayne, Vern, Carl, and Chet and step-sons, Jim and Ed.