Obituary of Violet Mae Gilbertson

Violet Mae Gilbertson, 94 ½, passed away on March 22, 2015. She was born in Peckville, Pennsylvania on August 25, 1920, the daughter of Ernest and Pearl Vail. Violet graduated from Roselle Park High School, New Jersey in 1938. While there, she excelled in tennis and participated in Glee Club. She worked for The Prudential in Newark, New Jersey for roughly 7 years until she met and married Stanley Gilbertson, a Naval Radioman First Class, on June 16, 1945 in Elizabeth, New Jersey. They moved to Stan’s home town of Duluth, Minnesota, where Violet went to work as a bookkeeper for Northwest Radio, 1952-1986. Violet was a member of the Children of the American Revolution from 1934-1939, and in the Daughters of the American Revolution from 1939 to present. She also received a congratulatory certificate from the city of Duluth for her 76 years of service to the community and the country by promoting patriotism, education, and historic preservation. She was a 67 year member of the Zenith Chapter No. 25, Order of the Eastern Star, having achieved the honor of Worthy Matron in 1977. From 1986-2006, she was also a member of the Mizpah White Shrine and a Past Noble Grand of the Majestic Rebekah Assembly, Lodge 60, in Duluth. She enjoyed reading immensely and could always be found with a book in her hands. She was preceded in death by her husband Stanley Gilbertson, parents, Ernest and Pearl Vail, and two brothers, Jack and Robert Vail. Violet is survived by her brother Donald (JoAnn) Vail, Chinchilla, PA., children Jeffrey (Diana) Gilbertson, Duluth and Linda (Kirk) Jenkinson, Oak Grove, MN. grandchildren, Douglas (Cheri) Gilbertson, North Branch, MN., Jaime Jenkinson, Columbia, SC., and Jennifer (Mikel) Roe, Blaine, MN. great-grandchildren, Anna, Aubrey, Brooke, Evan, Maiya, and Nathan. Violet’s family would like to thank the staff at Keystone Bluffs Assisted Living, as well as Essentia (St. Mary’s) Hospice Home Care in Duluth for the wonderful comfort and aid they provided. Memorial services will be held 11:00 AM, Friday, March 27 at Hope United Methodist Church, 301 W. St. Marie Street. In lieu of flowers, please direct any memorials to Hope United Methodist Church. Services entrusted to Cremation Society of Minnesota 218-624-5200