Cedar Rapids Relatives Remember Fallen Soldier

By Dave Franzman, Reporter

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By Dave Franzman

Story Created: Sep 5, 2007 at 3:43 PM CST

Story Updated: Sep 5, 2007 at 4:05 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS- The death of a Cedar Rapids soldier has family members both mourning--but also remembering a man proud to serve.

Sgt. Kevin Allan Gilbertson, 25, was wounded in fighting in Iraq last Wednesday. He died in a military hospital in Germany on Friday. Relatives in Cedar Rapids told TV9 that Gilbertson, who went by the nickname "Gilmoe," was a fun kid who left for the military in 2001 after graduating from Jefferson High School.

Cousin Marie Billings, of Marion, said "we were close younger, but not through high school, we didn't hang out. But when he came back (on leave) he would always call me and one of his trips back we went to Chicago to see our aunt."

Gilbertson was based in Germany, but also served in Kosovo and did two tours in Iraq. He met and married his wife Nina in Germany. Gilbertson also leaves behind an eight-month-old son Timmy.

Cedar Rapids family say he was away for awhile, but kept in touch. One of the last calls occurred this summer when he phoned his grandmother from Iraq to wish her a happy 70th birthday.

Family members say they are beginning to learn more about how Gilbertson died in combat. Aunt Amy Gilbertson said "I just talked to his father, he did die with his best friend over there, his name was Sergeant Edward Brooks...he died on the spot."

Services are pending for Sergeant Kevin Gilbertson, but will probably take place next week in Cedar Rapids. Gilbertson is the 58th member of the military with Iowa ties to die in either Iraq or Afghanistan.

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