Phyllis Gilbertson

A remarkable woman – wife, mother, grandmother, and friend – has ended her Baptismal journey. Phyllis died on Wednesday, November 9th and her husband Paul held her hand to the end.

Phyllis Sharon was the middle child of seven born to Minnesota farmer Carlisle (d.2000) and Alice (d.2002) Gunderson of Twin Lakes, MN. She was born in July of 1940, baptized that August, and “marked with the cross of Christ forever.” Her siblings included Gayle Grande (wife of Dr. David Grande d.2017), Arlen (d.2008) husband of Betsy, Gloria Johnson (wife of Wally), Lowell (husband of Judy), Pauline Taylor (wife of Baker) and Lenore Gregory (wife of Richard d.2006).

Phyllis had an active life as a teenager – playing the piano and church pump organ, being a member of 4H, and achieving membership in the National Honor Society as an honors student. She attended nursing school at Fairview Hospital in Minneapolis, graduating in the class of 1961.

In August of 1962, Phyllis married seminary student Paul Gilbertson. She later gave birth to three sons – Steen, Erik (husband of Nichola) and Jon (husband of Jamye). She is also survived by six grandchildren: Kiere and Stian (Jon and Jamye’s kids), and Soren, Tor, Emily, and Alice (Erik and Nichola’s kids). Phyllis took great delight in her grandchildren and was very involved in their lives.

She led an active life as a wife, mother, and registered nurse, and continued to practice nursing until her retirement in 2006. Together, Phyllis and Paul traveled extensively to more than 20 countries and hosted trips to the Holy Land, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Cuba.

Her life was given unselfishly to others, and is best summed up in the following statements received in response to her death.

“Phyllis was such a kind and wonderful soul. I have so many fond memories of her laugh and her sparkle. In my eyes, she had such a graceful, sophisticated way about her, yet completely unassuming.”

“I remember Phyllis as a graceful, loving presence. She had a softness in her spirit that I admired very much. I loved watching both of you, as you modeled a loving marriage (such a gift).”

“For me, it was Phyllis’s laughter that is so prominent. There are strong memories of you and Phyllis at our house and it seemed there was joy there. BUT Phyllis had such a lovely laugh that it brought joy to all who were near her. There is more I know but for now, for me that is what I remember about her. My Aunt Phyllis.”

Memorial Service for Phyllis will be held Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 11am, Augustana Lutheran Church, 5000 E. Alameda Avenue, Denver, Colorado.