Elinor Gilbertson

elinor gilbertson

Elinor Irene Gilbertson, 100, Fargo, ND, passed away on Monday, March 10, 2014 at Bethany Retirement Living, Fargo. 

She was born on January 8, 1914 to Henry and Mina (Jacobson) Gilbertson at Audubon, MN where she attended school and she was employed at the State Bank and Post Office.  In 1947 she moved to Fargo working at Northwestern Bell Telephone Company, later U.S. West Telephone Company, as an operator and Assistant Chief Operator for 12 years.  In 1961 she transferred to Bismarck as District Traffic Instructor for the West District.  She moved back to Fargo in 1976 and retired from Northwestern Bell after 28 years, 10 months, and 10 days of service.

Elinor was a member of the Telephone Pioneers and an active member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.  She enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, watching Wheel of Fortune, and logged many hours playing solitaire.  Drinking coffee and tea with her friends was another one of her favorite pastimes. Elinor was an avid Minnesota Twins fan, able to recall every player, injury, and countless other statistics.  She never missed a game, watching when her eyesight was good, and listening on her little radio after it started to fade.

Elinor believed in taking a 20 minute nap every day and eating something sweet after every meal.  She also walked every day for several miles, insisting this was key to good health.

Family was the most important part of her life and she took great joy in watching her great-great-nieces and nephews grow and keeping up with their many activities.  Elinor never turned down the chance to spend time in the Bethany coffee shop, whether it was for Wednesday Pie Day or just an afternoon snack.

She is survived by her nieces and nephews, Carol (Dennis) Jevne, Gayle (Garold) Bradley, Dennis (Mary) Frahm, Vicky (Roger) Tuorila, Claudia Frahm, Lee Frahm, Brenda (Gaylan) Witt, Peter (Karen) Frahm, LuAnna (Mike) Lake,  LaDon (Jeff) Olson, Craig Haukedahl, Lori (Steve) Jayhan, LuAnna Shaughnessy, Donald Haukedahl, Steven Haukedahl, Raymond Haukedahl, Glenny Haukedahl; numerous beloved great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Isabelle Hille, Norman Haukedahl, Ernest Haukedahl, Irving Haukedahl, Lloyd Haukedahl, Glenn Haukedahl, Gladys Frahm; great-niece, Tiffany Frahm; and great-great-nephew, Hudson Bruggeman.

“The first 100 years are the hardest.”

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  1. fargo St. Mark’s has lost a great woman.

    I will always remember Elinor?s big smile and the pride she had for the little children. She will be missed. May all of you, her family, be comforted in the knowledge that she lived a great life, on her terms, and always looked for the silver lining.

    Indeed, Heaven has found a great woman.


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