Joyce M. Gilbertson

Joyce Mae (Holter) Gilbertson, 89, of Holmen, WI, passed into heaven on September 28, 2026, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI.

Joyce and her twin sister, Janice, were born at home on the family farm in rural Mindoro, WI, on December 23, 1936, the daughters of Oscar and Lydia (Henrikson) Holter.

Joyce graduated from Mindoro High School in1954. She attended Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis. Joyce married Clifford E. Gilbertson on April 2nd, 1955, in Holmen, WI. They had three children: Charles, Laura, and Mark.

Joyce and Cliff served for 9 years in Cameroon, Africa with the American Lutheran Church Division of World Missions. She was a loving housemother to many missionary children living away from their parents in the boarding school. One of the favorite Saturday morning “chore” assignments was baking with “Aunt Joyce”. Upon returning to Wisconsin, Joyce worked for 21 years as a cashier at Gundersen Clinic in La Crosse. She retired from that position in 1999.

Joyce loved homemaking, keeping a clean, comfortable and attractive home. She also enjoyed traveling and exploring antique stores with Cliff.

Joyce is survived by three children: Chuck (Debo) Gilbertson, of La Crosse, WI; Laura (Tim) Bertsche, of Morton, IL; Mark (Kim) Gilbertson, of Duluth, MN; seven grandchildren: David (Linda) Bertsche, Mika Bertsche, Erik Bertsche, Max (Katherine) Gilbertson, Ben (Kaylah) Gilbertson, Stephanie Gilbertson; and 3 great-grandchildren Quill, Oslo, and Gabriel. She is also survived by three sisters-in-law: Judith Holter, Arlone McCabe, and Sherry Gilbertson; and many nieces and nephews.

Joyce was preceded in death by her loving husband of 59 years, Cliff Gilbertson; her parents Oscar and Lydia Holter; her brothers Trygve (Carol) Holter, and Carsten Holter; and her sisters Carol (Gale) Timm, Lois (Tom) West and her twin sister Janice, who died in infancy.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, October 10, 2026 at 11:00 am at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Onalaska, WI with visitation preceding the service at 10:00 am. Pastor Mark Kolander will officiate. A noon luncheon will be served, followed by an Internment Service at Lewis Valley Lutheran Church, rural Holmen, WI.

Memorial donations in Joyce’s memory may be directed to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Onalaska, WI.