GREAT FALLS TRIBUNE Wednesay, June 15, 2005

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Lewis C. Gilbert

HARLEM - Lewis C. Gilbert, 90, a Harlem farmer and rancher, died June 12 at his home.

Visitation is Thursday afternoon and evening and Friday until 11 a.m. at Edwards Funeral Home in Chinook. Services are 3 p.m. Friday in the Harlem High School gym.

Survivors include his wife, Irene; children Kay Howard (Jack) of Great Falls, Lewis Jr. of Harlem, Sandra Gilbert of Great Falls, Susan Grovom (Ron) of Helena, Phyllis Gilbert of Harlem, Gwen Anderson (Jerry) of Power, Bonnie Josephson (Mark) of Big Timber, and a chosen daughter, Mary Whitaker (Jay) of Great Falls; sisters Elsie K. Nelson and Lily (Dwayne) Kretchmer of Havre, Iris Hay of Hood River, Ore., Quentin Gilbert of Acworth, Ga., Kenneth (Betty) Gilbert of Chester and Gaylord (Lola) Gilbert of Butte;, sisters-in-law Rose Gilbert of Harlem and Virginia Gilbert of Bremerton, Wash.

Lewis was born in Trenton, Neb., to Millard G. and Emma Gilbert, the sixth of 14 children. His family followed the harvest work from state to state, which eventually led them to the sugar beet fields of Chinook, Mont.

Lewis learned at an early age that hard work is a virtue, which he exemplified ever after. He attended schools in Blaine County and graduated from Harlem High with honors. It was here that he was to meet his beloved Irene Fitzsimmons of Savoy. They married in 1937 and celebrated their 68th anniversary in November of 2004. Of this union seven children were born.

Lewis and Irene built their ranch east of Harlem over a lifetime of dedication and foresight. Lewis was proud to serve as a city councilman for many terms and was instrumental in getting Harlem streets paved. He was a volunteer rescue/fireman and served on the Fort Belknap Housing Board to bring in housing tracts, traveling to Washington, D.C. In his early years Lewis worked at the quarry at Snake Butte before he went into farming. He later raised bucking horses for the old Chuck Wagon Days, owned a small grocery store at Fort Belknap, the Montana Café in Harlem, the Tubbs Oil gas station and had various ventures in farming. He avidly enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, irrigating and clearing his land. He will long be remembered for his love of family and endless generosity and concern for others.

Preceding him in death were his parents; three sisters, Flossie Bubnash, Lucy Bailey and Louisa Woeppel; and four brothers, John, Calvin, Andrew and Charlie Gilbert. Good attitudes and strong constitutions are synonymous with his family.

The word "retire" was not in his vocabulary, as Lewis worked until he was 85 years young. It was then that he would come to gallantly face ongoing health issues. Although the last five years were difficult ones, he never lost his appreciation of life or his kind and gentle nature. His absence leaves a large hole in our hearts but he also leaves us many legacies. Mostly he left us as he lived: in the spirit of a true Champion.

His life will be remembered in the service on Friday, and we invite personal reflections from those who hold him dear.

A special Thank You to the dear caregivers who will ever remain in our hearts, Laura and Joy. Thanks to all who have cared and prayed for us along the way. Memorials may be made to the Northern Montana Hospice Center.

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HAVRE DAILY NEWS Wednesay, June 15, 2005

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LEWIS GILBERT

LEWIS GILBERT

HARLEM - Lewis C. Gilbert, 90, well-known farmer and rancher, of Harlem died Sunday, June 12, 2005, at his home in the loving arms of his wife and children.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. in the Harlem High School gym Friday. Viewing will be Thursday afternoon and evening at Edwards Funeral Home in Chinook and at 11 a.m. Friday.

Lewis was born Jan. 12, 1915, in Trenton, Neb., to Millard and Emma Gilbert. His family followed the harvest work from state to state, which eventually led them to the sugar beet fields of Chinook. Lewis learned at an early age that hard work is a virtue, which he exemplified evermore. He attended schools in Blaine County and graduated from Harlem High with honors.

In high school he met his beloved Irene Fitzsimmons of Savoy. They married in 1937 and celebrated their 68th anniversary in November of 2004.

Lewis and Irene built their ranch east of Harlem over a lifetime of dedication and foresight. During his lifetime, Lewis was a city councilman for many terms and was instrumental in getting pavement for the streets of Harlem. He was a longtime volunteer rescue worker and firefighter, and served on the Fort Belknap Housing Board to work for early housing tracts and traveled to Washington, D.C.

In his early years, Lewis worked at the quarry at Snake Butte before he went into farming. He later raised bucking horses for the old Chuck Wagon Days, owned a small grocery story at Fort Belknap, the Montana Café in Harlem, and the Tubbs Oil gas station, along with various ventures in farming.

He avidly enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, irrigating and clearing his land.

The word retire was not in his vocabulary as Lewis worked until he was 85 years young. It was then that he would come to gallantly face ongoing health issues. Although the last five years were difficult ones, he never lost his appreciation of life or his kind and gentle nature.

Survivors include his wife, Irene; children, Kay (Jack) Howard of Great Falls, Lewis Jr. of Harlem, Sandra Gilbert of Great Falls, Susan (Ron) Grovom of Helena, Phyllis Gilbert of Harlem, Gwen (Jerry) Anderson of Power, Bonnie (Mark) Josephson of Big Timber; chosen daughter, Mary (Jay) Whitaker, of Great Falls; sisters, Elsie K. Nelson and Lily (Dwayne) Kretchmer of Havre, Iris Hay of Hood River, Ore., Quentin Gilbert of Acworth, Ga., Kenneth (Betty) Gilbert of Chester, Gaylord (Lola) Gilbert of Butte, sisters-in-law, Rose Gilbert of Harlem and Virginia Gilbert of Bremerton, Wash.

He was preceded in death were his parents; sisters, Flossie Bubnash, Lucy Bailey and Louisa Woeppel; and brothers, John, Calvin, Andrew and Charlie Gilbert.

Memorials may be made to the Northern Montana Hospice Center.

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