Obituary for Gary J. "Jim" Gilbertson

Jim was born December 21, 1963, in La Crosse, to Chauncey “Chuckie” and Edna (Norup) Gilbertson. He was a 1982 graduate of Logan High School in La Crosse. On August 22, 2009, he married his good friend and forever helper, Nancy Piske, on Logger Field in La Crosse, at the Pitcher’s mound.

Jim loved to cheer on several sports teams, such as the Brewers, Packers, Badgers, and enjoyed going to many Loggers games. He also enjoyed watching Packer games at Champions and won tickets a couple times to games in Green Bay. He played softball for Teddy Bears, Koebels, Krazy L, and Honest Pauls L&M, just to name a few, and enjoyed several trips to play in Iowa as well. He was always the pitcher. Jim also enjoyed throwing darts and played for many different teams throughout the years. His biggest excitement throwing darts was taking first place and second place for a team in Las Vegas at the National Dart Tourney. He and Nancy also took first place in doubles.

Jim was employed for many years at Northern Engraving, La Crosse Footwear, and Walmart.

Jim was always up for a good time. He loved camping with Kim, Scott, Jerry, Mary, and many others, always telling ghost stories to the kids in the cabins and dancing around the campfire. Thank you to all for the fun. Jim also loved to go to the L&M Tap to give everyone his two cents. He had several names that people called him and it was always in good fun. Thank you to Tammy, Pat, Beth, and Cindy for taking good care of him.

Survivors include his loving wife and best friend, Nancy; his children, Kimberly (Nick) Jolivette and Travis Steers; and his pride and joy, his granddaughter, Serenity. Jim is also survived by his brother, Jeff and his sister, Susan (Steve) Dolan; many nieces and nephews; his mother-in-law, Annie Piske of Bangor; and his two brothers-in-law, Carl (Kerrie) Piske and Mike (Shelly) Piske.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Joseph and Robert; and his father-in-law, Harvey C. Piske.

Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Fredrickson Funeral Home, Woodruff Chapel, 4239 Mormon Coulee Rd., La Crosse. Pastor Marty Yeager will officiate. Burial will follow in Burns Cemetery, rural Bangor. A visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service Saturday at the funeral home. Casual attire for a sports team such as Brewers, Packers, Loggers, or Badgers, would be Jim’s request.

Special thanks to Jim’s brother, Jeff for all his help and to Nikki for being his walking partner at the hospital. He loved you both and was grateful to you both. Also a thank you to everyone for all the support over the past years. Also, thank you to Mayo in La Crosse and Rochester for everything. Jim will be missed by many and never forgotten.

Online condolences may be offered at this website.