Wally Gilbertson, 93

Wallace "Wally" K. Gilbertson, 93, of Mountain Home, died Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003, at a local nursing home.

Graveside services were held Tuesday, Feb. 4, at Mountain View Cemetery in Mountain Home. Arrangements were under the direction of Summers Funeral Homes, McMurtrey Chapel in Mountain Home.

Wally was born Nov. 5, 1909, in Bloomfield, Neb., the son of George and Anna (Severson) Gilbertson.

Wally grew up in Nebraska and spent a good portion of his life in South Dakota, where he met his future wife, Vivian. He married Vivian Turpen on June 18, 1966, in Rapid City, S.D. They moved to Mountain Home on June 18, 1967, and worked at Mountain Home Air Force Base for about 13 years before retiring. Wally worked in Civil Service from 1951-1979.

"Those that knew Wallace knew him by Wally," his family said. "Wally was best known for his good-natured demeanor. Great men are best known for their ability to listen and Wally was always willing to take the time to listen to anyone that needed a lending ear. He was kind, generous, and outgoing to all those that had the good fortune to know him.

"He loved the great outdoors and enjoyed his last year of hunting when he was 88 years old. He also liked to go fishing, work in his garden, and enjoy the simple things in life. Wally's most treasured memories were those that were spent with his family. Though Wally lived a simple life, his children were his island of riches."

Wallace is survived by: his daughter, Brenda K. Maley and her husband, Bill, of Pleasanton, Calif.; sisters Florance Belli of Loyalton, Calif., and Elsie Long of Cheyenne, Wyo.; and two grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents and a daughter, Carol.