Jeffery L. Gilbert, age 50, of Hitchcock, passed away unexpectedly after being involved in a farm accident on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 at Huron Regional Medical Center in Huron.

His Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 4, 2026 at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish in Huron, with burial to follow at St. Martin Cemetery in Huron. A meal and fellowship will be held after the committal service at Holy Trinity multi-purpose room.

Visitation, with his family present, will be from 5-7 p.m., on Thursday, September 3, 2026 at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish in Huron. A Scripture and Rosary Service will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday evening at the church. 

Jeff was born on December 26th, 1975, to Jerry and Kathy (Hemen) Gilbert in Redfield, South Dakota. Jeff grew up on a farm outside of Hitchcock, SD. He graduated from Hitchcock-Tulare Highschool in 1994. He attended Northwest Technical College in Moorhead, MN, for diesel technology. Jeff met the love of his life, Ann Koch, through the Catholic SEARCH program and were married on April 18th, 1998, in Plankinton, South Dakota. They moved to Sioux Falls where Jeff worked at RDO. They welcomed their three children into the world, Samuel, Claire, and Elizabeth. After only a few years, they decided to move their family to the family farm Jeff grew up near Hitchcock. He was an active member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Huron.

Jeff worked in Huron at John Deere James River Equipment (Kibble) for 7 years from 2008-2015, after which he decided to start his own diesel repair company called Gilbert Repair. Jeff had over 100 clients in the Hitchcock area. He made countless friends, both through his business, and also from being one of the most likeable guys around. Wherever Jeff went he knew people and made friends. He could not go 10 feet without stopping and talking to someone.

Jeff will always be remembered for his friendliness, sense of humor, kindness, and his huge heart. He was the greatest son, brother, husband, father, grandson, nephew, and uncle anyone could ever ask for. Jeff was a person you can count on, helped anyone, was a great listener, and a friend to all.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Ann, and his children Sam (Shelby Jones) of Clark, SD; Claire (Jarred Ketchum) of Wolsey, SD; and Lizzie of Mitchell, SD; his parents Jerry and Kathy of Hitchcock, SD; his brothers Andrew (Becca) Gilbert of Brandon, SD and Tim (Sarah) Gilbert of Gilbert, AZ; and countless aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews, all of whom he loved dearly.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents Vance and Ida Hemen and Harold and Lucille Gilbert; his uncle Charles Gilbert; his aunt Delores Gilbert; his father-in-law Dale Koch; brothers-in-law Jim and Donnie Koch.