Eleanor “Ellie” Karen (Christenson) Gilbertson, age 83, went home to her eternal Lord and Savior peacefully with family by her side at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, Wis. on Oct. 16, 2024.
Ellie was born on Nov. 12, 1940, to Harley and Myrtle (Hanson) Christenson, formerly of Ellsworth, Wis. She met the love her life, Thomas Raymond Gilbertson, in high school and they both graduated together in 1958. They were united in marriage on June 25, 1960, and they spent 64 amazing years together as a shining example to their family of what marriage truly means.
They lived in the Ellsworth, Wis. area all their life, until they moved to Menomonie, Wis. in 2002 to be closer to their family. Together they raised three children; Jeffery (Debra) Gilbertson of Watertown, Wis.; Michael (Heather) Gilbertson of Osseo, Wis.; and Tanya (Randy) Risler of Colfax, Wis. She is also survived by eight grandchildren; Christopher Gilbertson; Aaron Gilbertson; Brandon (Marie) Gilbertson; Heather (Paul) Manzer; Wesley (Kira) Gilbertson; Justin (Ellie) Gilbertson; Kali Risler and Taylor Risler. Furthermore, she had eight great grandchildren and one on the way, which she made sure to tell all her nurses as she was very proud of all her family. She is also survived by her brother Roger (Sharon) Christenson of Luck, Wis., many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Ellie spent most of her life as a homemaker. In her early years, she worked for the Pierce County Extension Office doing all the mapping and then later after her last child graduated high school she worked as a receptionist at A Cut Above Beauty Salon in Ellsworth, Wis. for several years.
Ellie enjoyed traveling to visit family and friends all over the country; going to Branson, Mo. with friends every fall season; camping at Wards Resort on Balsam Lake for around 60 years; listening to classic country music; a wide variety of crafts and puzzles; she was an avid sports fan and meticulous housekeeper; but most of all she enjoyed being with her family. She was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to all that met her.
She was preceded in death by her loving parents, Harley and Myrtle Christenson.
Services to celebrate her life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 25, 2024 at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie, Wis. with Pastor Jordan Herrick officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.
To share a memory, please visit obituaries at “http://www.olsonfuneral.com” www.olsonfuneral.com
