Delores K. Gilbert

Delores Kangus Gilbert: January 8, 1929-February 20, 2017 Dee Lived a life filled with love, laughter and music. An accomplished vocalist, she sang for decades with the First United Methodist Church choir, Colorado Women of Song, and the Sunshine Singers. She performed for years at various nursing homes. She held season tickets to the Santa Fe Opera and The Lincoln Center. Dee performed on stage with the Mule Barn Theatre Company musical productions in Tarkio, MO. Also in Tarkio, she was a member of the Music Club, was the Water Safety Chair for Atchison County, and directed the Red Cross swim program for many years. She worked with the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Cub Scout when her children were involved in these activities. She drove children to numerous athletic and music events for many years. Dee was born in Mitchell, South Dakota and graduated from Mitchell High School. She attended South Dakota State University at Brookings and graduated from Tarkio College December, 1966. She taught high school Health and Physical Education at Tarkio High School. She was the first female instructor for these classes in the school system. Dee was a 64-year member of P.E.O. and served in all offices over the years. She was a member of Chapter EX in Ft. Collins. Dee and Paul moved to Ft. Collins in 1969. She was hired full time in 1970 to initiate a health program in the Poudre R-1 schools. She visited six junior high schools per week and met her classes in locker rooms, the gym, and an occasional classroom. In 1973 she was hired by Boltz Junior High to teach English and Blevins Junior High to teach Health. She also taught classes at Colorado State University on Health Techniques for high school and elementary education student teachers. She was a life member of NEA and the Phi Delta Kappa honorary teaching fraternity. In 1981 after retiring from the school system, Dee earned her LPN degree and conducted workshops on adolescent behaviors for foster parents and volunteered for the Hospice of Larimer County. Dee and Paul were members of First United Methodist Church in Ft. Collins for 48 years. In addition to singing in the choir, Dee directed the junior choir for five years and was the Sunday School Superintendent and teacher for 25 years. She was a faithful member of United Methodist Women, currently in the Ruth Circle. Dee and Paul Frederick Gilbert were married for 67 years until his death in 2015. They had three children: Bob Gilbert, Patricia Gilbert O’Neill and Rex (Cindy) Gilbert, who gave them six grandchildren: Brendon (Shari) O’Neill, Brian (Carmen) O’Neill, Kyle Gilbert (deceased), Amanda (Steve) Harker, Keith (Lauren) Gilbert, and Laura (Trever) Hillegeist. There are 11 ½ great grandchildren: Conor, Erin, Finn O’Neill, Kyle, Owen, and Madilyn Harker, Ryan and Ethan Gilbert, Levi, Anna, and ? Hillegeist. Memorial Contributions can be made to the Ruth UMW Circle, Fort Collins First United Methodist Church in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at First United Methodist Church, 1005 Stover, Fort Collins. A Private Graveside Service will be held at Grandview Cemetery, Fort Collins.

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Delores K. Gilbert

January 8, 1929 - February 20, 2017