Ethel Hilda Gilberts was born in New Auburn, Wisconsin the daughter of Helmer and Anna (Gubrud) Anderson on February 1, 1921. She grew up on a farm near Sand Creek. Her family moved to Menomonie, Wisconsin where she graduated from high school. On June 3, 1944 she was united in marriage to Gordon Gilberts. They made their home in Colfax, Wisconsin. They operated a general store called Gilbert's Four Corners. They operated the store until it was destroyed in a tornado in 1958. They moved several times, living in Chippewa Falls and Bloomer before settling in Eau Claire. She was active at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd taking part in quilting and other church activities. In April of 2010 she moved to Oak Brook Apartments in Amery to be closer to her daughter. Since November of last year she has resided at Golden Age Manor where she died on Saturday morning, January 26, 2013 at the age of 91 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Gordon and several brothers and sisters. Left to mourn are her daughter Karen (Donovan) Volrath of Amery; grandchildren: Vicki Bignell of Chippewa Falls, Cindy Volrath of Amery, Dan (Sandy) Volrath of Amery, Denise (Bruce) Dick of Amery and Eric Volrath of Cottage Grove, MN. She also leaves six great grandchildren, three great great grandchildren; sister Harriet Gibbons as well as other relatives and friends.


Memorial services will be held at the East Immanuel Lutheran Church, 207 120th St., in rural Amery, Wisconsin on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. There will be a time of visitation for the hour prior to the service at the church. The interment will take place at a later time at the Lakeview Cemetery in Chetek, Wisconsin.