Dodgeville - Eugene R. Gilbertson, age 82 of Dodgeville, passed away on Sunday, May 22, 2016 at Crestridge Assisted Living surrounded by loving family.

Gene was born on June 21, 1933 in Dodgeville, the son of Ruben and Isabell Gilbertson. He graduated from Barneveld High School in 1951. Gene was a proud veteran and served in the Korean War. He was a member of the American Legion and the 40&8 Club. He was united in Marriage to Carol (Brunker) Thomas on July 16, 1966, in Dubuque, IA. They resided in Dodgeville and together raised three children.

He was a carpenter by trade and worked at many places over the years including Joe King Lumber Company of Dodgeville, Sullivan Brothers and Austed and Sons of Madison.

Gene was a longtime member of St Joseph's Catholic Church in Dodgeville, where he attended mass regularly. He was a great provider and took great pride in the many accomplishments of his children and grandsons, Kelby and Kerby. He loved life, especially the time spent at Lake Wisconsin and South Padre Island, TX. His family and friends were very important to him. He loved traveling, camping, playing card and was extremely humble about his hole-in-one at the Ludden Lake Country Club.

Gene had a great sense of humor and would be proud of the fact that he will be greatly missed by his family and friends and remembered with love.

Gene is survived by his daughter Lori Brass of South Padre Island; his son Jeff (Keely) Thomas of Dodgeville; his grandsons Kelby and Kerby Thomas, both of Dodgeville; his brother Ron (Helene) Gilbertson of Ridgeway; his sister Luanne (Jim) Borcherding of Dodgeville; his brothers-in-law Donald (Joan) Brunker of Ridgeway, Tom (Ann) Brunker of Hollandale and Jerry Brunker of Dalles Texas; as well as cousins, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, Carol, his son Chris Thomas, his father and mother-in-law Jerome and Anastacia Brunker, his brother and sister-in-law Harold and Shirley Brunker, his nephews Ricky Gilbertson and Brian Brunker.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday May 25, 2016 at ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH in Dodgeville. Monsignor Daniel Ganshert will officiate. Interment will be held in St. Joseph's Cemetery with Military Rites Accorded by the Dodgeville Veterans. Family and friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass on Wednesday May 25, 2016 at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St Joseph's Catholic Church roof repair or Upland Hills Hospice.

The family would especially like to thank the friends who visited Gene and the dedicated staff at Crestridge who treated Gene like family.