Milton D. Gibbs

MILTON DONALD GIBBS was born on May 22, 1935 to Donald and Laurine (Fadden) Gibbs in Buffalo, Minnesota. Milt spent his childhood years with his family in Buffalo, New Auburn, Minnesota and St. Paul, Minnesota. He was baptized into the Christian faith in 1953 at Temple Baptist Church in St. Paul. Milt always enjoyed the summers that he would spend with his grandparents in Buffalo. Milt graduated from high school and then attended technical college at Dunwoody in Minneapolis. On December 31, 1955, Milt was united in marriage to Lucy May Brown at the Temple Baptist Church. The couple made their first home in St. Paul. Milt worked with sheetmetal throughout his entire working career. He started first as a foreman and eventually operated his own business. The family moved where Milt’s job took them. Following his education, the family moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma for a year while Milt worked for Caine Steel. They returned to Minnesota in 1968, making their home in the town of Carlos. While in Carlos, Milt worked as a foreman for the Dalsin Manufacturing Company. In 1974, the family moved to Tyler, Minnesota. Milt decided to venture on his own in 1975 and started Gibbs Sheetmetal Company. In 1993, Milt moved his family and business to Edgerton, Minnesota. Milt sold his business in 2005, successfully operating it for over 30 years. Following retirement, the couple continued to reside in Edgerton. In 2010 the couple moved to Luverne, Minnesota where they became members of Living Rock Church. On December 21, 2015, Milt died peacefully with his loving wife near his side at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage at the age of 80 years, 6 months and 30 days.

Anyone who knew Milt well will remember him for his undeniable creativity! From building carnival-style toy airplanes that his grandkids could ride to fabricating an everglade-looking motorized raft he took down a river near Menagha, Milt invented unique trinkets and practical equipment pieces that were one of a kind. His witty, energizing personality gave life to any party. He was a consummate story teller and the king of one-liners whose odd but comical rhymes brought immeasurable laughter and smiles. He could strike up a conversation and make a friend anywhere anytime. Loving hobby farms as he did, he would bring his detailed toy farm show into nursing homes as he loved seeing former farmers and wives reliving the “gold ol’ days” on the farm. Though not a world traveler by nature, he enjoyed vacations in many states as well as the Caribbean islands, Mexico, Bahamas and most memorable perhaps, Guatemala. Amongst his other loves…ice cream! On many dinners out, Milt would insist on paying for meals, simply asking his kids and grandkids to ‘someday buy him ice cream’ in return. And so they did! Milt had a huge heart and was a generous soul. He gave of himself to serve and defend those around him.

This Christmas season which Milt so loved, he is remembered by his wife of nearly 60 years, Lucy of Luverne; two children, Mark Gibbs (Maritza) of Luverne and Lorrie (Kerry) Nelson of Plymouth, Minnesota; four grandchildren, Neil (Kayla) Nelson, Kalina (Ryan) Skillingstad, Troy (Brenna) Nelson and Cody (Meagan) Nelson; four great-grandchildren, Nitaleigha Skillingstad, Chase Nelson, Emmet Skillingstad and Leon Nelson; and two siblings, Marlene Baker of Farmington, Minnesota and Norman (Sue) Gibbs of Rice Lake, Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister, Sharon Stomberg.