Obituary of Michael Norman Gilbertsen

Mike Gilbertsen, of Chaska, MN, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on April 21st, 2025.

Mike Gilbertsen was born on September 16, 1943, in L.A., to Norm & Irene Gilbertsen. When he was a child, they moved to Richfield, MN, where he grew up and graduated from Richfield High School in 1961. He was a fun, popular kid – as he told it, he was always such a little guy, and he relied on his humor to make friends & keep everyone entertained. One of his favorite stories he liked to tell was of the night of a big football game at the high school. He and his friends, on a dare, ran across the field during the big game to the other side, where he turned off all the lights to the field during the middle of the game! He’d laugh, remembering the chaos that ensued, while he and his buddies all ran different directions to safety, never getting caught!

Mike used to walk to school, walking right past Evelyn Schmidt’s house, not knowing that his future life partner lived there. They didn’t meet until a blind date, just out of high school. Ev recalls that Mike was always just so outgoing and fun, and he really brought her out of her shyness. She remembers playing hard-to-get one evening when he asked her out; she said she had to wash her hair that night so she couldn’t go. Not long after they hung up, he showed up to her house with a brand new “fancy” blow dryer, saying, “There! Do your hair, and let’s go out!” They married in 1966, and would be celebrating their 59th anniversary this June.

They had their first child, Tanya, in 1968, and their son, Ryan, in 1984, and many, many dogs throughout the years! Tanya gave Mike & Ev a granddaughter, Miah, in 1992, and this completed the family. Together, they enjoyed lots of fun vacations and road trips – Cabo, Graceland, Branson, Scottsdale, and probably thousands of trips Up North to their cabin, near the Whitefish Chain of lakes, north of Brainerd. Mike loved to take the boat out, with a loaded cooler, tons of CDs, and his favorite – VO whiskey & Squirt. He passed on his love of music – all genres, but mostly oldies, and especially Elvis – and as a family, it wasn’t uncommon to see a little dance party break out! Ev and Mike did virtually everything together, holding hands as they’d walk, whether through Menards or around the State Fair. Tanya enjoyed a close relationship with her Dad, always laughing, joking, and dancing, and working daily with Mike & Ev in the family car business. Ryan also had a close relationship with his Dad; they called each other their best friend. Together, they enjoyed shooting hoops in the driveway, watching anything Gophers, March Madness, and just being together at the cabin. And Miah enjoyed the love of a Grandpa who was always there for her, too. She was his little political protégé, and occasionally a friendly debate would ensue. Mike loved the passion she’d display – something she clearly got from him!

Mike was a district service manager of a computer company for many years, until his mid-40s, when he and Ev decided to try their hand at entrepreneurship. Together, they opened a small consignment car lot, calling it Cars By Owner, Inc., pouring blood, sweat, & tears into their new venture. They started with just 3 or 4 cars on a small lot in Shakopee, building it up, literally by hand, to over 200 consignment cars at one time, on a large lot with a beautiful office they built themselves. They semi-retired in the mid 2000’s, selling the lot, and continuing to dabble in the business, until formal retirement in the late 20-teen’s.

Everything Mike & Ev did, they did as a team. They were incredible parents, exemplifying what it means to give unconditional love and support, always bringing humor, selflessness, and fun into all aspects of their life. They were, above everything else, best friends. And we were always laughing!

And Mike was just an incredible guy. From helping a stranger on the side of the road, to feeding the squirrels in the backyard, to letting a spider outside rather than killing it, his selflessness knew no end. He taught us to stand up for what we believe in, to do the right thing, to laugh – often – at the little quirks of life, and to just be a good person. That integrity is important. He was fun, tenacious, compassionate, sensitive, generous, and had the best sense of humor of anyone we’ve ever know. Truly the quickest wit in the west! He loved a good time, and anyone who’s been blessed to know him will attest that he was always the life of any party, bringing his music & getting everyone up and dancing! He loved fast muscle cars, dogs, the Gophers, going Up North, the Prior Lake VFW, a good joke, all animals, and he loved his family more than anything. Four years ago, we started a journey none of us wanted to go on, when he was diagnosed with Parkinsons with Lewy Body dementia, but he handled it with courage & poise, and always, with that awesome humor sprinkled in. We will carry on his legacy, while he is finally able to rest.

A casual Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, June 1st, 2025

at the Prior Lake VFW, 16306 Main Ave SE, Prior Lake, MN 55372

from 1:00pm to 4:00pm.

Memorials preferred to either the Humane Society of MN, or the Parkinson Foundation.