Mark Steven Gilbertson

Mark Steven Gilbertson, 66, of Bismarck ND, left on his final fishing trip on May 1, 2019.

Celebration of his life will be held at 10:30 am, Tuesday, May 7 at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck. Family will be greeting visitors one hour prior to the service.

He was born in Willmar, MN, on March 25, 1953. He graduated from Willmar High School and wanted to pursue both teaching and law enforcement. After high school, he moved to Fargo where he met his wife Thea while they both worked at Sears. He began his law enforcement career in Beulah, ND where he worked for nine years during which he became Chief of Police. He then combined both his passions and began teaching cops. Mark spent time teaching officers under both the ND Highway Patrol and Bureau of Criminal Investigation. He became secretary of the ND Police Officer Standards and Training Board and served a term as president of the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training. In 2010, Mark retired from the State of North Dakota and moved on to working for Lake Region State College, continuing teaching the future of Law Enforcement. After retiring from Lake Region in 2015, Mark was able to enjoy all of his hobbies and became very active in the Dakota Woodturners club.

In Mark’s career and in his life, he put his heart and passion into his work and family. He loved teaching and made a vast impact on the students he encountered. He was passionate about hockey, not missing a UND game on TV or the chance to attend and coach his kids and grandkids. Mark adored his grandchildren and great-grandson and loved sharing his knowledge of hunting, fishing, woodturning and even showing them how to clean between their toes. Although he accomplished much in his long career in law enforcement, to his family he will always be a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and one of a kind.

Mark is survived by his loving wife, Thea (Wells) Gilbertson, his children, Corey (Heather) Gilbertson, Jeremy Gilbertson, and Jenn (Jason) Schneider. He is also survived by his grandchildren Donovan, Kira, Brecken, Quinn, and his great-grandson, Grayson.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Adeline (Jorgenson) Gilbertson.