Elmer Arthur Gilbertson, age 92, of Austin, died Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2006, at Austin Medical Center. He was born Oct. 15, 1913, to Bennie and Jane (Prestesater) Gilbertson in Winneshiek County, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at Glenwood Lutheran Church. His family became charter members of the newly formed Burr Oak Lutheran Church in 1928. Elmer also attended Burr Oak High School. He was married Dec. 30, 1938, at Decorah (Iowa) Lutheran parsonage to Esther Virginia Erickson. He farmed most of his life on the Iowa Minnesota border near Burr Oak and became an Austin resident in 1958. In later years he taught himself to play the violin and enjoyed playing Scandinavian old-time music.

He is survived by his wife, Esther of Austin; sons, Davis (Julie) Gilbertson of Albert Lea; Wayne (Cheryl) Gilbertson of Maplewood; Leslie (Beverly) Gilbertson of Warsaw, Ind.; nine grandchildren; six great grandchildren; many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by sisters, Beatha Eddy and Irene Gemperle. His brother, Neil Gilbertson, died in Europe in World War II.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 21, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with the Rev. Kristi Koppel officiating. Friends may call at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment is at 11 a.m., Monday, Jan. 23, at Burr Oak Cemetery in Burr Oak, Iowa. Worlein Funeral Home, Austin, is in charge of arrangements.

Casket bearers are Kyle Gilbertson, Chris Gilbertson, Amy Gilbertson, Andrew Gilbertson, Eric Gilbertson, Lisa Christian, Geoffrey Gilbertson, Aaron Gilbertson and Kristin Wallace. The family prefers memorials to St. Olaf Lutheran Church or St. Mark’s Lutheran Home, Austin or Peace and Power television ministry at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea.