Dr. Carol Gilbertson Lehtola's Obituary
Dr. Carol Gilbertson Lehtola, 67, of Gainesville, Florida, died Wednesday, August 15, 2018 at her home.
Dr. Lehtola was born on February 23, 1951 to the late Orville and Ruth Gilbertson in Fargo, North Dakota. As a child growing up on the family farm in Ulen, Minnesota, she had always been interested in the subjects that most girls didn’t venture into-math and science. She began her studies at Bethany Lutheran College, later transferring to South Dakota State University where she was the first female ever to be enrolled in agricultural engineering courses. Dr. Lehtola later moved with her family to Iowa, and began her post-graduate studies, earning both her master’s and doctoral degree from Iowa State University. After coming to Gainesville, Florida in 1995, she began her career as a professor of agricultural engineering, at the University of Florida, until retiring in 2010.
She is a pioneer in her field of expertise-agriculture safety. She had written dozens of articles for publication and has received numerous awards including recognition as the Undergraduate Teacher of the Year at the University of Florida Agriculture and Life Sciences School, she was recognized by The Extraordinary Women Engineers Project Coalition, and in 2006 was featured in Changing Our World: True Stories of Women Engineers, published by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Dr. Lehtola enjoyed socializing with friends, cooking, quilting and collecting antique toys. She was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church.
Survivors include her son, Phil (Christy) Lehtola and a daughter, Ann (Josh) Finn; four grandchildren, Robyn and Conner Finn, and Kasey and Emmett Lehtola, all of Cedar Rapids, IA; one brother, Ken (Doris) Gilbertson, of Ada, MN; a niece, Sarah Rensink; and nephews, Michael and David Gilbertson
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, August 21, 2018 at 10:30 A. M., at the Zion Lutheran Church, 1700 NW 34th Street, Gainesville, with Pastor Brian Wrobel, officiating. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Zion Lutheran Church, 1700 NW 34th Street, Gainesville, FL 32605.
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