Gilbertson, Pastor Harvey O.

Pastor Harvey O. Gilbertson died March 28, 2011, in Fargo, N.D., peacefully and confident of his place in heaven. Visitation: 5 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at Wayne Zion Lutheran Church, rural Monticello, with interment at 6 p.m. in the church cemetery. A luncheon and time of fellowship with the family will be held at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, April 3, at Wayne Zion Lutheran Church, with a Celebration of Life service and worship to follow at 2:30 p.m. Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello, is in charge of local arrangements.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at  

He is survived by his wife and partner in ministry for 63 years, Esther, of Fargo; four children, Joanne Whiting (Russ Hilliard) of Portsmouth, N.H., Carol Grimm (Terrence) of Lake Park, Minn., Mark Gilbertson (Kris) of Fargo, N.D., and Greg Gilbertson of Minneapolis; nine grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and a sister, Donna Lansing of Clermont.

Harvey married Esther Lerud of Rembrandt, Iowa, on Aug. 9, 1947. Together they served parishes in McGrath, Minn., Stanley, N.D., Lake Mills, Iowa and Monticello. They served at Wayne Zion Lutheran Church from 1968 until 1986. The couple retired to Fargo in 1986.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Pastor Gilbertson's memory to either of his preferred charities - the Great Plains Food Bank or Daily Bread programs of Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota, 1730 Third Ave. N., Fargo, ND 58102 or online at

“Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word.” - Luke 2:29