Donna Gilbert

Donna was born to George “Lee” Nevin and Claire (Peterson) Nevin in Mount Morris, Mich. on Feb. 15, 1933. Donna grew up in and graduated from high school in Sault Ste Marie.

After graduation, Donna worked as a telephone operator. While still a teenager Donna met a young U.S. Army soldier who was stationed at Camp Lucas in the Soo. On Aug. 2, 1952, Donna married that soldier, L.N. “Gil” Gilbert in the Soo.

Donna was a very active wife and mother. Always busy running the household, while supporting and transporting her children to their many activities. Donna was a great cook and liked to knit and crochet. Together Donna and Gil had five children. Donna and Gil always took time to take their children on many vacations, camping trips and adventures. Donna loved the water. She would spend hours swimming in the lakes, especially her favorite, Lake Superior. She grew up on the water, spending her childhood summers at the “Shallows” on the Saint Mary’s River in the Soo with her parents, siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins.

She enjoyed playing cards and boardgames and loved coffee and having an occasional beer with her oldest son, David and with her granddaughters, Richelle and Elena.

While the children were still young, Donna, Gil and their kids relocated to the Norway-Vulcan area for Gil’s work. And although Donna was a Blue Devil graduate, all of her children are Norway Knights.

After Gil’s retirement, Donna and Gil moved to the country in Arkansas. In 2021 they moved again to Cleburne, due to age and to be closer to some of their children and grandchildren. Donna was preceded in death by Gil on Jan. 1, 2022. They were married for almost 70 years. Donna was also preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Claire Nevin; an infant daughter, JoAnne; her brother, Steve “Pete” Nevin; her mother and father-in-law, Minnie and Garvin Gilbert; a brother-in-law, O’Dell Gilbert; sister-in-law and her husband, Pearl and Russ Buxton; a brother-in-law, Don Freidenbloom; a special Aunt, Freda Peterson; and her daughter-in-law, June Gilbert.

Donna is survived by her sons, David Gilbert of Iron Mountain and Michael (Judy) Gilbert of Joshua, Texas; daughters, Betty (Greg) Marshall of Colorado and Carol (Robert) Mobley of Fort Worth, Texas; her sister, Margaret “Magee” Freidenbloom; and a sister-in-law, Nita Gilbert. Additionally she is survived by her granddaughters: Stacy, Mandy, Shannon, Tracy, Richelle and Elena, along with many nieces and nephews and great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson, Leo.

Initial arrangements will be managed by Rosser Funeral Home in Cleburne, Texas and finalized by Irby Funeral Home in Marmaduke, Ark. A graveside service will be held at Harveys Chapel Cemetery in Marmaduke on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 10 a.m. with Pastor Gary Holcomb officiating. Pallbearers will be: Richelle Esquivel, Kyle Oman, David Gilbert, Robert Mobley, Joe James and Byron Halcomb.