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FAMILY MEMBERS ARRANGED IN DATE ORDER

To earlier Gilbert family members

1874 - 1957 ROBERT RUMNEY GILBERT

Robert Gilbert in 1919 (with his father William and sister Permelia).

Born; 14 April 1874 Verona, Grundy County, Illinois.
Parents; William Gilbert (1840-1928) = Anna Rumney (1845-1921)
Married; Augusta Norelius (1881-1977) on 27 June 1916 at Luverne, Rock County, Minnesota.
Children; Roberta Anna (1917-1998), Ruth Margaret (1919-1919), William Frederick (1922-2007).

The family moved from Illinois to Rock County, Minnesota in 1889, so Robert attended elementary school in Illinois, but graduated from Luverne High School, Minnesota in 1896. He then farmed for 14 years. In 1911 he attended business school at Grand Forks, North Dakota, and the following year was employed at the Red River Company in Grand Forks. In the spring of 1913 he moved to Pipestone County, Minnesota.
After their marriage in 1916, Robert and Augusta spent their first five years living on a farm east of Pipestone, Pipestone County, Minnesota. When Robert retired they moved to Luverne, Rock County in 1922 and lived at 215 North East Park Street. They were members of the First Baptist Church in Luverne.
Died; 31 August 1957, Restmore Convalescent Home, Rock Rapids, Lyon County, Iowa.
Buried; Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne, Rock County, Minnesota.

1881 - 1977 AUGUSTA GILBERT (nee NORELIUS)

Born; 14 March 1881 Luverne, Rock County, Minnesota. However the "Rock County History Book of 1977" says she was born in Beaver Creek Township, Minnesota. This was during a famous deadly blizzard in south-western Minnesota that cost many lives.
Parents; Erik Norelius = Pernelle Mickelson (they had 10 children)
Augusta attended District 16 School in Rock County, and graduated from Luverne High School.

Married; Robert Rumney Gilbert (1874-1957) on 27 June 1916 at Luverne, Minnesota.
Children; Roberta Anna (1917-1998), Ruth Margaret (1919-1919), William Frederick (1922-2007).
After their marriage in 1916, Robert and Augusta spent their first five years living on a farm east of Pipestone, Pipestone County, Minnesota. They moved to Luverne, Rock County, in 1922 and lived at 215 North East Park Street. They were members of the First Baptist Church in Luverne.
Her US Social Security number was 468-52-4410 issued in 1962.
Died; 10 June 1977, Luverne, Rock County, Minnesota.

1914 - 2001 IRID ORVILLE BJERK

Born; 10 December 1914, Springwater Township, Rock County, Minnesota
Parents; James Olai Kolman Bjerk (1876-1966) = Mary Aaker (1888-1991) in 1913, Minnesota.
In 1915 the family moved to Beaver Creek Township and Irid graduated from Beaver Creek High School in 1931.
Occupation; journalist and editor. News reporter for Rock County Star in 1938 and remained with them until retirement in 1978. Also served as Luverne correspondent for the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, Sioux City Journal and the United Press.

Married; Roberta Anna Gilbert (1917-1998) on 7 September 1939 at Luverne, Rock County, Minnesota.
Children;
(i) Kenneth Irid Bjerk (born 2 October 1940, Luverne, Rock County, Minnesota), worked for Riker Laboratories in Ontario, Canada. Kenneth married Gloria Bodland (born 29 January 1943 in Minneapolis) on 1 February 1969 in Minneapolis and had two sons, Paul (born 17 August 1971 in Ventura CA) and David (born 15 May 1973 in Ventura CA).
(ii) Dr Robert James Bjerk (born 23 October 1943, Luverne, Rock County, Minnesota), a veterinarian practicing in Anacortes, Washington. Married Renita Bushmir on 24 February 1973, Orange City, Iowa. Three children, Benjamin (born 24 January 1975, Ames, Story County, Iowa), Scott Andrew (born 6 May 1978, Tacoma, Washington), Sunny Anne (adopted, born on 9 July 1981 in Korea).

Irid was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church where he served as President and Secretary of the congregation, taught Sunday School and conducted adult Bible classes. He was a member (and past president) of the Luverne Rotary Club, and of the Ben Franklin Masonic Lodge for more than 50 years, and of the Order of Eastern Star, serving as worthy patron in 1950.

H R Gilbert corresponded with Irid O. Bjerk via the Internet in 1999, and Irid put him in touch with William Frederick Gilbert (1922-2007) in Washington, which turned out to be probably the first contact between the Gilberts in Sussex and the Gilberts in USA for more than a century.
At the time Irid was a famous local writer (aged 82), and still produced guest articles for the Rock County Star-Herald, as well as writing books on local history. Roberta had unfortunately died in the September of the previous year (1998).
Irid's address in 1999 was 201 Oak Drive, Luverne, Minnesota 56156, USA.

Died; 10 May 2001 (aged 86) at Luverne Hospice Cottage. Memorial services were held on 14 May at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. The Rev. Maurice E. Hagen officiated.
Buried; Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne.

1917 - 1998 ROBERTA ANNA BJERK (nee GILBERT)

Born; 26 June 1917, Luverne, Rock County, Minnesota.
Parents; Robert Rumney Gilbert (1874-1957) = Augusta Norelius (1881-1977)
Married; Irid Orville Bjerk (1914-2001) on 7 September 1939 at Luverne, Rock County, Minnesota.
Children;
(i) Kenneth Irid Bjerk (born 2 October 1940, Luverne, Rock County, Minnesota) who married Gloria Bodland (born 29 Janusry 1943 in Minneapolis) on 1 February 1969 in Minneapolis and had two sons, Paul (born 17 August 1971 in Ventura CA) and David (born 15 May 1973 in Ventura CA).
(ii) Dr Robert James Bjerk (born 23 October 1943, Luverne, Rock County, Minnesota) who married ?? on 24 February 1973, Orange City, Iowa and divorced 11 August 1991, Everett WA. Married again Renita Bushmer - or "Sheryl"? (born on 26 May 1954, Orange City, Sioux IA) on 11 August 1991 in Everett, Washington. Three children, Benjamin (born 24 Janusry 1975, Ames, Story IA), Scott Andrew (born 6 May 1978, Tacoma WA), Sunny Anne (adopted, born on 9 July 1981 in Korea).

Roberta died on 5 September 1998.

1919 - 1919 RUTH MARGARET GILBERT

Born; Stillborn 25 January 1919, probably at Pipestone, Minnesota.
Parents; Robert Rumney Gilbert (1874-1957) = Augusta Norelius (1881-1977)
Buried; Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne, Rock County, Illinois.

1921 - 2005 HELEN JOAN GILBERT (nee TOBIN)

Born; 7 June 1921, Eveleth, St.Louis County, Minnesota.
Married; William Frederick Gilbert (1922-2007) on 9 June 1945, Eveleth, St.Louis Co., Minnesota.
Children; Joan Louise (born 1947), Robert William (born 1951)
Helen's mother's family tree is documented back to Elder Brewster, who came to the USA on the 'Mayflower'.
Living at 3817 67th Avenue, Ct. W., University Place, Washington 98466 in 2002.
Died; 4 May 2005 Tacoma General Hospital, of respiratory failure. Underwent chemotherapy in Oct 2004 and had been on oxygen since Christmas. Memorial service on 12 May 2005.

1922 - 2007 WILLIAM FREDERICK "BILL" GILBERT

Bill Gilbert.

Born; 26 March 1922, Luverne, Rock County, Minnesota.
Parents; Robert Rumney Gilbert (1874-1957) = Augusta Norelius (1881-1977)
Married; Helen Joan Tobin (1921-2005) on 9 June 1945, Eveleth, St.Louis County, Minnesota.
Children; Joan Louise (born 1947), Robert William (born 1951).

Occupation; Pilot. In the 1980s Bill was Chief Pilot and Manager of Corporate Aircraft for Weyerhaeuser Lumber Company in Tacoma, Washington.
Lived at 3817 67th Ave. Ct. W., University Place, Washington 98466-5158 until 2006, when he moved to retirement accommodation at "Narrows Glen", 8201 6th Avenue #147, Tacoma, Washington 98406.
Died; 3 February 2007, Laurel House, Tacoma, Washington.
Memorial service at University Place Presbyterian Church, Tacoma, 10 February 2007.

This obituary was published in the News Tribune (Tacoma) on 6 February 2007;
"William F 'Bill' Gilbert passed away Feb 3, 2007 at the age of 84 after surviving many years with cancer. He was born March 26, 1922 to Robert and Augusta Gilbert in Luverne, MN. Bill graduated from Macalester College in St Paul, MN, where he met his loving wife of 59 years, Helen Tobin, who preceded him in death in 2005. Bill's lifelong love of flying took him from his initial pilot's license at age 19 to World War II service as a Naval Aviator. Upon discharge at the war's end, he was a flight instructor in Hastings, NB, followed by four years as an air traffic controller in Cleveland, OH. In 1956 he accepted a position as corporate pilot for Weyerhaeuser-related companies in Minneapolis."

"He moved to Tacoma in 1963 to become the Weyerhaeuser Company Manager of Corporate Aircraft. During the next 21 years he guided the growth of their flight department, including the relocation of operations to SeaTac Airport. Bill served 10 years on the Board of Directors of the National Business Aircraft Association, 2 years as Chairman. He was active as a docent for the Seattle Museum of Flight, and a member of the Quiet Birdmen. In addition to his 15,000 hours of flying, Bill loved his days on Puget Sound at the wheel of his boat, 'Mach 2'."

"He was an active member of the University Place Presbyterian Church for 42 years. He is survived by daughter Joan of Tacoma, son Bob (wife Jane) of Eugene OR, and two grandchildren. Bill's dedication to his wife, children, and friends, his lively sense of humor, and his joy for life, made his journey on this earth special for all that knew him. Special thanks to the staff at Laurel House, MultiCare Hospice, and Quality Sitters for their compassion during his final weeks. There will be a memorial service at University Place Presbyterian Church, 2:00 PM Saturday, February 10, 2007. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his name to the Seattle Museum of Flight, 9404 East Marginal Way South, Seattle, WA 98108. Arrangements by Haven of Rest Funeral Home, Gig Harbor."

Born 1947 JOAN LOUISE GILBERT

Born; 27 November 1947, Hastings, Clay County, Nebraska.
Parents; William Frederick Gilbert (1922-2007) = Helen Joan Tobin (1921-2005)
Occupation; health technician in Santa Barbara, California.

Born 1951 ROBERT WILLIAM GILBERT

Born; 24 January 1951, Berea, Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Parents; William Frederick Gilbert (1922-2007) = Helen Joan Tobin (1921-2005)
Married; Jane Theresa Potts (born 1952, Tacoma)
Children; Leslie Joan (born 1980), David William (born 1981) Occupation; in the 1980s worked for Weyerhaeuser Lumber Company, Wisconsin.

Born 1952 JANE THERESA GILBERT (nee POTTS)

Born; 8 February 1952, Tacoma, Washington.
Parents; Thadius Vincent Potts (1912-19??) = Ann Donovic
Married; Robert William Gilbert (born 1951) on 5 March 1977 at Aberdeen, Grays Harbour, Washington.
Children; Leslie Joan (born 1980), David William (born 1981)

To later Gilbert family members in the USA