Dean Robert Gilbertson, 65, of St. Cloud, formerly of Austin, died Friday Jan. 6, 2012, at his home in St Cloud.

He was born May 22, 1946, to Jason and June (Walswick) Gilbertson at St. Olaf Hospital in Austin. Dean graduated from Austin High School in 1964, and then attended the Austin Area Vo-Tech and Mankato State. He entered the United States Army in 1966, and was honorably discharged in March of 1970 in Berlin. He spent the next four months traveling in Germany and the surrounding area. Upon his return to the States, he worked for various companies in the area, spending time in California and Florida. He moved to St. Cloud and began working for the U.S. Postal Service, retiring in 2007 after 26 years. Dean was a kind and understanding person who was very supportive of his family. He enjoyed traveling, collecting cobalt blue glassware and attending family gatherings, especially when mashed potatoes and gravy were served. He was also an excellent bowler during his school years. Dean was proud to be an Army veteran and serve his country. He will be greatly missed.

Survivors include siblings, Eileen (Bill) Koopal of Blooming Prairie, Sandra (Bill) Dalquist of Rochester, Denny (Cheryl) Gilbertson of White Bear Lake, Jeneielle (Jim) Soucek of Austin; 11 nieces and nephews, 11 grandnieces and nephews, two aunts, one uncle. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jason and June; grandparents; several aunts and uncles and one great-nephew.

Memorial services will be held at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, with Pastor Ron Barnett officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery, with the American Legion Post 91 and VFW Post 1216 in charge of military rites. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials for the PKD Foundation for Polycystic Kidney Disease research and education, or a donation to recipient of donor’s choice. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.