Gilbert "Gib" Mjoen, age 83, of Yankton passed away Monday, February 25, 2008 at his residence after a battle with cancer. Memorial services will be 2:00 PM, Friday, February 29, 2008 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Yankton, with Rev. David Wildermuth officiating. Military rites will be by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post #791. Private family interment of the cremated remains will be in the Garden of Memories. Visitations will be 6 to 8 PM, Thursday, February 28, 2008 at the Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton, with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. Visitations will resume one prior to the service at the church.
Gilbert was born January 30, 1925 near Volin, SD to Edward and Gertrude (Storli) Mjoen. He was baptized July 1925 and confirmed May 1939 at Zion Lutheran Church in Volin.
After graduating from high school, Gilbert was called to military duty on April 23, 1943 to serve in the United States Army. He was a Private First Class, assigned to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 414th Infantry Regiment, 104th Infantry Division. He served in the European Theatre of Operations from 1943 through 1945. Campaigns included Belgium, Holland, Siegfried Line to Rhine, and into Germany to the Elbe River about 50 miles from Berlin, meeting up with the Russian Army. Citations included the Bronze Star, the American Campaign Medal, The World War II Victory Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Gilbert also received the Purple Heart for wounds received near the town of Moerdijk, Holland. He was honorably discharged on December 15, 1945 and returned to the Yankton area.
On February 20, 1946, Gilbert married Lucille Sorensen Mjoen at Dakota City, NE. He attended Nettleton Commercial College from June 1, 1946 to June 1, 1947. He worked in Accounting for 13 years and worked in Banking for 32 years retiring in 1992.
Gilbert was active in many civic organizations: 1970-71 Past Commander of the VFW Ernest Bowyer Post #791, 1973-1977 Yankton County American Red Cross Treasurer, 1994-96 Past President of the Sons of Norway Lodge #1-633 Lillehamer. He enjoyed golfing, folk dancing and sports.
Gilbert will be dearly missed by his loving family including his devoted wife, Lucille and children: Roger (Vicki) Mjoen of Naples, FL; Pamela Mjoen of Lincoln, NE; Robert Mjoen of Greeley, CO; Sheryl Mjoen Horacek of Yankton; brother Kenneth (LeElla) Mjoen of Owatonna, MN; ten grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Gilbert was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Gertrude Mjoen, brothers Milton Mjoen and Arthur Mjoen.
