Gilman E. Dahlberg, age 68 of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, died at his home on December 1, 2023, with the love of his life at his side after struggling with two rare conditions. Visitation will be on Friday, December 8, 2023, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel. Visitation will continue on Saturday from 11:00 am until 12:00 pm at the Springfield Area Community Center in Springfield with a luncheon at 12:00 pm. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Springfield Area Community Center in Springfield on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 12:30 pm. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.
Gilman Dahlberg, the son of William and Vera Dahlberg, was born on August 22, 1955, in Redwood Falls, MN. He grew up on the family farm in Redwood County and graduated from Redwood Falls Public School. On October 5, 1991, Gilman married his soul mate Connie Schultz in Sleepy Eye, MN.
Early on he started driving truck for KAT car transport. Along with farming, he owned and operated a sweet corn truck with Del Monte, hauled sugar beets, worked in construction, and drove truck for Sanborn Manufacturing. He worked for a few years at Kmart and Lakes Gas. His proudest work accomplishment was starting his own trucking company, GWD Trucking, which he took over the road and he was able to see much of the country. He carried on this love and passion for the open road for over 30 years until his health condition forced him to park his rig.
Gilman was most known for his wonderful sense of humor. He would lighten people up by dishing out compliments, telling stories, talking with anyone and everyone, and pulling pranks. He would get a kick out of getting reactions out of people.
Some of Gil’s other passions were spending time with family, especially the nieces, nephews and grand kids. He taught many of them how to live life to the fullest by driving hot rods, ATVs and mudding jeeps. Part of the fun was working on the vehicles and enhancing their performance! Gilman reminded us all to never take yourself too seriously, live life to the fullest by finding joy in the smallest of things, and to never forget how to see the world through the eyes of a child. While Gil wasn’t one to share his faith, he had a great love for Jesus and he showed this by loving all people.
Gilman is survived by his wife, Connie; son, Eric (Mari) Schultz; his grandchildren, Kevin Warwick, Ethan and MaciRae Schultz; guard cat, Sparky; brother, Douglas Dahlberg; sister, Donna (Jerry) Liebl; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Vera Dahlberg; parents-in-law, Arnold and Arlene Schultz; brother-in-law, Keith (Sam) Schultz; and niece, Jennifer Schultz.
