Gilbert Gessner Obituary Gilbert Nels Gessner, 88, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, December 27, 2024. He was born on June 4, 1936, in Gary, Indiana, to Norman and Mabel Gessner. In 1951, he moved to Brainerd, staying with his Aunt Florence, graduating from Brainerd High School in 1954. Gil went on to attend Brainerd Junior College and the University of North Dakota playing football and earning a degree in mechanical engineering, graduating in 1958. In 1959, he enlisted in the army and was stationed at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Gil met and fell in love with Patricia Madison while attending Brainerd Junior College. They were married June 25, 1960, and lived in Las Cruces, New Mexico while he completed his active duty. In 1961, he started working for 3M in Hutchinson and then on to New Ulm, MN. In 1969, he then went to work for Control Data for the rest of his career, in the Twin Cities, retiring in 1991, at the age of 55. In 1994 Gil & Patty were able to move into their retirement home on Pelican Lake in the Brainerd Lakes area. Gil is preceded in death by his parents Norman and Mabel and brother Gordy. He is survived by his loving wife Patty, sons, Jim (Kathy) of Hibbing, MN, Dave (Sandy) of Lino Lakes, MN, Jon (Bridget) of Ramsey, MN, 8 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 12 pm at The Church on the Wise Road, Brainerd, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.