Gilbert Ries Theobald, 101, of Rochester, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 25, 2019 at the Charter House surrounded by family.

Gil was born on February 17, 1918 in Marshall, MN to August and Philomena (Ries) Theobald. He graduated from Sleepy Eye High School in 1936 and served in the United States Coast Guard from December 1941 to July 1942.

On September 23, 1942, Gil married Margaret S. Hillesheim at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Fairfax, MN. The couple moved to St. Paul, where they had their two oldest children. In 1946, they moved to Rochester, where they raised their nine children. Gil initially worked as a Post Office rural route mail carrier, and went on to enjoy a career as a Charter Life Underwriter for Northwestern Mutual from 1958 to 1990.

Gil is survived by five daughters; Janis Theobald of St. Paul, Joanne Pohl of Red Wing, Mary (Keith) Johnson of Rochester, Jane (John) Smith of Rochester, and Jean (David Pettengill) Theobald of Rochester; three sons; Jon (Lea) Theobald of St. Paul, Mark (Sue) Theobald of St. Paul, and Paul (Maureen) Theobald of Osmond, Nebraska; and 30 grandchildren and 54 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 75 years, Page; daughter, Susan; granddaughter, Andrea Page; and brother, Jim.

Memorials are suggested to the University of Minnesota Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

The funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 29, 2019 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church with Rev. Jim Berning officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the Mass at the church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.