Kent Allan Gilbert

Kent Allan Gilbert, 80, of Chetek, Wisconsin passed away on October 13, 2019 at River Pines Nursing Home with family by his side. Kent was born August 21, 1939 to Alice Christina (Severson) and Clarence Joseph Gilbert. 

Kent grew up working with his parents and sister Sharon on their family farm west of Chetek.  Despite all the hardship of agricultural life, this fostered a lifelong love of farming. Following his graduation from Chetek High School in 1957, Kent proudly served in the United States Air Force. He met and married Bonnie while stationed in Missouri and in 1968 his little "tuchus" Christina was born. 

After his military service Kent began his career as a truck driver and became known as “Pappy” to his friends via CB radio and the road. Pappy's quick wit and outgoing nature gained him friends in every state he traveled. He logged many hours through the years with different trucking companies and enjoyed his adventures. During this time he married Brenda and welcomed children Christian and Nina.  

The family returned home to the Gilbert farm in 1974 and soon after his “little shadow” Joe was born. The next years were filled with work, family, and his many hobbies. Kent was an avid reader of farming and history. He had a wonderful voice and loved to both sing and play drums. He enjoyed stock car races, horse pulls, and a yearly trip to Waverly, Iowa for the horse sale.  Kent had a strong will to live and a love for life. He was blessed with a heart transplant on December 8, 2003.  This was a gift he never took lightly and was grateful for it everyday. 

Thank you to the donor and family, Mayo Clinic Heart Transplant Team, Gift of Life Transplant House, and all the many people who helped him to have more quality time with family and friends. A very special Thank You to Dr. Kincaid, Wendy, Dr. Casper and Jeanne.

Kent is survived by: children Christina McCoy of Missouri, Christian Brobst of Spooner, Nina (James) Brobst of Eau Claire, and Joe Gilbert of Chetek; grandchildren Mitchell and Jamison of Missouri, Sebastian (Kayla) and Santanna (Brian) of Spooner; Farmer Girl of Chetek; great-grandson Kannon due in December; niece and nephew Dondi Kuhn and Sean (Cheryl) Repka; and many other relatives. 

Kent is preceded in death by his parents Alice and Clarence Gilbert, and sister Sharon Selvig and a niece, Jodi Voght.

Please join us at Lakeview Cemetery in Chetek, Wisconsin, October 26, 2019, at 3 pm for a grave side remembrance and prayer with Military Honors provided by the Chetek American Legion. 

In lieu of flowers. 

The Burnham-Ours-Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Chetek has been entrusted with arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kent Allan Gilbert, please visit our floral store.