Michael Hans Gilbertson was born Dec. 18, 1962, and peacefully passed away Monday, April 26, 2021. He was born to Ray and Judy Gilbertson in Chehalis, Wash. A life-long resident of Lewis County, Mike graduated from W.F. West High School in 1981, and will be remembered for his hard work ethic.
Before he could drive, he was trapping the Newaukum River for beaver pelts and spent weekends smelt dipping with his family. During the summer months, Mike commercial fished for salmon for his grandpa, Hans Gilbertson, on his fishing boat called the “Michael G”. If he wasn’t fishing, he would be cutting cedar for his grandpa. After his fill of commercial fishing in Ocean Shores, he followed his father north to Alaska to chase timber. He soon found that his love for the ocean called him back to fishing where he worked as a long liner in Alaska. After working in Alaska for several years, he came back to Lewis County to chase timber for Fred Moe. After working for Moe, he did several other odd jobs.
In all of his years, Mike carried on the long family traditions of being an avid outdoorsman. He loved hunting, fishing, and being in the woods or at the river. He often took his boat “The I ROCK” down the river searching for agate rocks. His family will have his massive rock collection to remember him by. He also enjoyed riding horses with his daughter and spent many hours at 4-H horse functions. Mike loved things that went fast. His favorite car was a 1973 Nova. There is funny story of his sister getting caught driving his hotrod a little too fast, and a second story of his little brother crashing it. Mike was a very simple man and never asked for much from anyone. He always said he would be just fine living in an off-grid cabin in the woods.
Michael Hans Gilbertson was preceded in death by his son, Brandon; brother, Danny; and his father, Ray.
He is survived by his daughter, Andra (Mike) Hankins; and his son, Ridge (Miranda) Gilbertson-Romine; his mother, Judy Gilbertson; sister, Bobbi (Joe) Ahmann; and brother, Kenny (Cindy) Gilbertson; his grandkids, Adelyn Hankins and Ryker Gilbertson-Romine; and several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, May 15, 2021, at the family home of Judy Gilbertson, 137 Taylor Rd., Chehalis, Wash.
