Russell “Russ” Gilbertson, of Bismarck, passed away peacefully and surrounded by his family on June 26, 2026. An amazing husband, father, brother, friend, and the most quietly hilarious man you’d ever meet, Russ will be missed by all who knew him.

Russ was born on October 7, 1945, in Crosby, ND. A proud farm kid from Divide County, he was one of seven children. He had five brothers and one sister, who deserves a medal for surviving them all. The Gilbertson boys grew up working hard and stirring up trouble with each other; a bond that carried through their entire lives.

It was in the eighth grade that Russ first started dating a girl named Jane Neumann, and from that day on, there was simply no one else for either of them. They were two souls who found each other early and never looked back. Their devotion held steady even as life pulled them in different directions. Jane headed to Dickinson State to earn her teaching degree, and Russ went to auto body school in Wahpeton.

Not long after, Russ was drafted into the United States Army and served his country bravely in the Vietnam War. He was sent to basic training in Fort Lewis, WA, in 1966, and was honorably discharged in 1968 after serving a one-year tour in Vietnam. His courage and strength earned him a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star and are a tremendous source of pride for his whole family.

When he came home, there was only one thing left to do—marry the girl who had waited for him since the eighth grade. Russ and Jane were married on August 31, 1968, beginning a marriage that would span nearly 58 years and serve as a model of true partnership. To their union, two children were born; Michael in 1975 and Grant in 1977.

Jane began her career teaching, while Russ returned to school on the GI Bill, where he discovered a passion for X-ray services. That path led him to St. Alexius, where he spent an incredible 37 years building a career. He started as an X-ray technician and eventually retired from the heart cath lab, having touched countless lives along the way.

Life with two boys was busy. When he wasn’t cheering them on at their concerts and games, Russ could be found doing what he loved most: fishing, turkey hunting with his brothers, and spending every spare moment outdoors. He loved spending time at his house in Pick City, in his perfectly organized garage, and gardening and mowing in his meticulously manicured yard. His garden was the envy of the neighborhood, and his tomatoes and cucumbers were nothing short of legendary.

One of his favorite roles came later in life when his grandchildren were born. Five lucky kids were fortunate enough to call him Grandpa and have him in their corner. He was a known fixture in the bleachers at their games, choir concerts, and dance events and if he couldn’t be there physically, he was watching virtually from his kitchen stool. He was unapologetically proud of all of them.

There was not a better father, grandfather, brother, father-in-law, friend, or husband. Russ loved fiercely, laughed easily, worked hard, and gave everything he had to the people he loved. He will be remembered for his strength, his humor, his devotion, and the quiet and steady way he made everyone around him feel cared for.

Russ is survived by his wife of nearly 58 years, Jane; his children, Michael (Jessica), Bismarck, and Grant (Lisa), Rosemount, MN; grandchildren, Benjamin and Lily, Bismarck, and Kade, Sydney, and Avery, Rosemount, MN; his brothers, Glenn and Dan (Sandy), of Minot, ND, John (Donna) and Curtis, of Bismarck; his sister, Claudia Showalter, Clovis, CA; his sister-in-law, Karen, Lincoln, NE; his brothers-in-law, Bill (Jackie) Neumann, Bismarck, and Robert (Deb) Neumann, Villa Hills, KY; and many nieces, nephews, and friends who will miss him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Carol; his in-laws, Albert and Opal Neumann; brother, Dean Gilbertson; and sisters-in-law, Karen Gilbertson and Judy Gilbertson.

A prayer service will be held on Wednesday, July 1, at Eastgate Parkway Funeral Home, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, from 5 - 7 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 2, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 106 Osage Avenue, Bismarck. Interment will follow with full military honors at 1 p.m. at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery,

Memorials may be made to Western North Dakota Honor Flight or the Foundation at Missouri Slope Care Center.