Visitation will be on Saturday, April 23, 2022, from 2-3 p.m. at the Sturm Funeral Home in Springfield.

Memorial Prayer Service will be held at the Sturm Funeral Home in Springfield on Saturday, April 23, 2022, at 3 p.m.

The clergy will be Chaplain Noel Wetter. Interment will be at the Springfield City Cemetery in Springfield.

Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Springfield, Minnesota. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Gilbert was born March 1, 1942, to Harold and Louise (Haack) Larson, the first of five children, with siblings David, Harold, Lee Ann and Linda. They were raised on the family farm that his grandfather homesteaded in 1890. Confirmed in the Lutheran Church, Gil graduated from Sanborn High School in 1960, and from Augustana College in 1964, with majors in mathematics and physics. He taught calculus at the University of Wyoming while a graduate student. Enlisting in the U.S. Army (1966-1969), Gil served in Viet Nam as an artillery officer; his service awards include a Bronze Star.

Gilbert married Beverly Irvine in Laramie, Wyoming, in August 1969. After graduate school together, Gil worked as a computer systems analyst for the Department of the Army in St Louis, Missouri, while Bev taught mathematics. Bev and Gil moved back to the family farm in April 1976, where he farmed until 2003. Gil also worked for the Sleepy Eye Post Office from 1989 to 2008.

Gil and Bev raised two daughters, Christina and Rosanna (Yost), sharing his love of reading, music, the outdoors and nature, road trips, and flying. As a family, they were frequent visitors to state and national parks, historic routes with local museums, farm, car, and air shows, with twice-yearly trips to Arkansas and the EAA Air Show at Oshkosh (38 years).

Gilbert worked diligently at farming, but his true passion was to fly. He earned his private pilot’s license in 1991 and took to the air at every opportunity. Gil was a meticulous record-keeper and archivist. He liked analysis and comparing options; shopping for cars was a real treat for him. He enjoyed the natural world and wildlife. Gil also loved WarBirds, high performance cars, motorcycles, firearms, and history — especially World War II.

No flowers please.

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