Joyce V. Gilbertson

Joyce Verna Gilbertson, 93, Rockford, died on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 in Generations at Neighbors, Byron.  Born June 3, 1930 in Clam Falls, WI, daughter of Edward and Irene (Gourlie) VerHagen.  Her dad owned a farm and cheese factory where Joyce milked cows by hand every morning at 5:00 a.m. and then went on a milk route for the cheese factory with her brother Ike.    She was a nanny for one year in Western Springs, Illinois.   She came home from there and met her future husband, Clarence (Doc) Gilbertson.  They were married on June 19, 1948 at St. Stephens Catholic Church in Chili, WI.  They moved to Rockford in 1950 where she joined St. Edward Church where she has been a member for 74 years. Doc passed away January 29, 1993. Joyce had many jobs in her lifetime but her happiest was managing Gilbertson Flowers in Rockford with her son , Ron.  The whole family worked together at Gilbertson Flowers for 25 years.

Joyce is survived by her son Ron, daughter Bev Jacobson, son Tom and Joyce and her special son Jim Reece, brother, Luke and Charlotte Ver Hagen and sister-in-law Elizabeth VerHagen.   Also survived by her grandchildren, Tony Jacobson, Angela Christensen, Andrea Gilbertson, Michael Gilbertson, Tim Gilbertson, Nicholas Gilbertson and her great-grandchildren, Hunter Christensen, Katie Christensen, Noah Jacobson, Harper BeCraft, Millie Gilbertson, Oliver Gilbertson, Kiley Gilbertson, Miles Gilbertson, Samantha Gilbertson, Joey Gilbertson, Matthew Gilbertson and Jillian Gilbertson.  Predeceased by her parents, her husband, Doc, son Donald, granddaughter Jessica BeCraft, sister, Norma and Bud Tauschek, brother Lester (Ike) VerHagen, sister Elnor and Don Kapusta, sister Edna and Alley Kapusta, brothers, Harlow and Laura VerHagen, Howard and Lillian VerHagen, sister, Margie and Allen Meier and Larry VerHagen.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am, Monday, April 8, 2024 in St. Edward Catholic Church with a visitation to be held on Sunday from 2-5 pm at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel. A Prayer Service will be held at 4:30 p.m. Burial in Greenwood Cemetery. Send condolences and share memories at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.