Brent I. Gilbert, Sr. 82 of Ellendale, ND passed away October 26, 2020 at the Good Samaritan Center in Oakes, ND. Brent contracted Covid-19 and with all his other past health issues his body finally failed him after an amazing fight for health, healing, and life. Brent was born August 9, 1938 to George and Ruth Gilbert in Kendallville, IN. They moved to Kalamazoo, MI where he graduated from high school and worked as a car salesman, mechanic foreman and started his body shop Gilbert Customs. In 1993 he moved to Ellendale where he built his new collision center and continued Gilbert Customs and got to do what he loved best…cars! Brent was a self-taught car builder and loved his projects including his Deuce Coup and the 1954 Chevy he was working on when he became ill. Brent had so many amazing people in his life including his first wife Joyce who he had his 3 children with. Brent Gilbert Jr. (Dory), Sterling CO; Michael Gilbert (Kristi) Ellendale, ND and Julie Aycock, (Matt) Yuma, AZ. Joyce passed away in 2003. Grandchildren: Emily Withers (Greg), Lansing, MI, Brent III, Scott, Andy Gilbert, Kalamazoo, MI, Paxton, Cody, Clayton, Isabel, Conner, Ellendale, ND, Casey, Yuma, AZ, Great-Grandsons: Jacob and Noah, Lansing, MI. Brent married Peggy (Barton) Retzlaff, August 1, 1995 and they remained life partners for 25 years. With that reunion Brent added to his kid and Grandkid list! Doug and Holly Retzlaff, Carrington, Bailey, Jacey, Beau and Jozey, Ronica and Josh Sand, Natosha and Dalton, Glasgow, MT., Bradley and son Oliver, Ellendale, ND, Stacy and Daniel Bowden, Danielle, Charlie, Sam and Liana, Oakhurst, CA and Jeremy and Sara Retzlaff, Jackson, Addisyn and Weston, Naperville, IL. Brent is survived also by his sister-in-law: Christine Gilbert, Warren, MI and nieces: Kimberly, Shannon and Stacy. In-laws: Robert and Donna Barton, many extended family members, many special car friends, past co-workers and his beloved dogs Deuce and Tyra. Preceding him in death are his Grandparents, Parents, uncles Guy and Bob and brothers, Mark and Valiant. Brent loved all of his children, but his heart was filled with such pride and joy over the grandkids! Each special in their own way to him! All his Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren will serve as honorary casket bearers. Casket bearers are Doug and Beau Retzlaff, Josh and Dalton Sand, Cody Gilbert and Clayton Grueneich.

A private funeral service with be 2pm, October 31 at Hoven Funeral Chapel, Ellendale with Pastor Kelly Riggan officiating. Burial is at Ellendale City Cemetery. Arrangements by Hoven Funeral Chapel, Ellendale.