James John Gilbey

James John Gilbey was born July 23, 1946 in Milaca, MN to Lloyd and Eldora Gilbey of Pine City. Jim grew up on Family Farms in the Pine County area with his siblings: Marilyn, Maxine, Phyllis, Charlue, Lloyd, Wayne, Wes and Shirley. He attended grade school in Pine City up until the sixth grade at which time Jim and his brother Lloyd went to work on local farms to help provide for the large family. This was Jim’s introduction to farming and hard work, a characteristic he kept his whole life. At the age of eighteen he started working for Land O’ Lakes creamery in Rush City, where he later met Carol Saari. They were married November 11, 1967. In 1970, they purchased Jim’s beloved farm located in Rock Creek, where Jim passed away peacefully on March 2, 2013. Jim and Carol had three daughters Tracy “Bandit” Gilbey, Heidi “Geeter” Jean, and Cheryl “Harold” Gilbey. Jim worked at Land O’ Lakes for a number of years until he started working construction in the cities. He had a knack for it and went into business with his brother Wes and later on his own. He continued to farm as well. In 1991, Jim became a grandfather for the first time. He had a total of six grandchildren: Brandon, Jessica “Jessie James”, Cortney “Corker”, Scarlet “Granddaughter”, Mikey “the Man”, and Makenzie “little Granddaugher”. Jim’s greatest joy in life was his grandchildren. Many fun times and fond memories were made on Grandpa’s Farm. Jim’s true passion was farming or as he called it “fine farming” he enjoyed every aspect of it like going to auctions and sales barns. His favorite part of the farming life was “having coffee with the boys” and “harassing the waitress’ at Heidelberger’s Rock Creek Café in Rock Creek. You could find Jim there every morning and afternoon sitting in his favorite spot. Through the years this coffee crew became family and held a special place in Jim’s heart and life. Jim had a gift for making you laugh through his funny stories, antics, sayings, goofy faces and grin. A gift he passed down to his children and grandchildren. He loved it when one of them would have a good laugh for him. His grandkids loved hearing grandpa’s stories of the friends with names like Bunyon, Bowtie, Gordy, Slick Nicky, Crop Farmer, Heidelberger, Roller, Drill Sargent, and many others from the “Puke and Choke.” He would always say “thanks for coming”. He had nicknames for everyone, never calling anybody by their real name. In 1994, Jim met Donna Sandberg of Pine City while building her a pole shed. Donna introduced Jim to a new hobby of horseback riding. They enjoyed riding horses in local parades, going out to eat, family reunions and gatherings. Jim was first diagnosed with cancer in 2003. Jim fought a strong courageous battle. He never complained, never asked “why me”, never lost his sense of humor and most importantly never gave up. Jim did not lose his battle; he surrendered to a place where cancer does not exist. Jim is survived by daughters: Tracy (Bill Pantlin) Gilbey of Rock Creek, Heidi Jean of Hinckley, Cheryl Gilbey of Hinckley; significant friend Donna Sandberg of Pine City, grandchildren: Jessica Lange, Cortney Altergott, Scarlet Pantlin, Micheal Gilbey, Makenzie Lange; siblings: Marilyn (Paul) Jasa of Edina, Charlue (Ben) Hancock of Brook Park, Shirley (Dan) Larson of Cambridge, Wayne Gilbey of Hermantown, Wes (Diane) Gilbey of Rock Creek; sister-in-law Betty Gilbey of Pine City; brothers-in-law Roger Brown of Pine City and Leroy Gardner of Pine City. A funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 9th at the Journey North Church in Pine City. Visitation will be held Friday evening from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Swanson Funeral Chapel. Interment will take place in the Birchwood Cemetery of Pine City. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service - Swanson Chapel, Pine City.