Elvera S. Gilbert

Gilbert, Elvera S.

Elvera S. Gilbert, age 92, of Sturgeon Bay, passed away peacefully Wednesday, December 5, 2007, at Peabody Manor surrounded by her family. Elvera was born August 27, 1915, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, to John and Wilhelmina Schmidt. She graduated from New Brunswick High School and attended NJC (Douglas) College studying dance. Elvera’s love for dance began at the age of 3, and she spent much of her youth and early adult years dancing. She received her training in ballet in New York and taught ballet and other forms of dance in New Brunswick. Elvera was united in marriage to Franklin Gilbert on May 14, 1944. Elvera and Frank moved their young family to Sturgeon Bay in 1950 where Frank, a Ph.D. in horticulture, began his career as the Superintendent of the University of Wisconsin Experiment Station in Door County, doing fruit research. In addition to raising their three children, Elvera taught dance in Egg Harbor and Sturgeon Bay. She was also a member of the Board of Education for the Sturgeon Bay School District. Elvera and Frank enjoyed their retirement years at their homes in Englewood, Fla., and Sturgeon Bay, before moving to Appleton in 2004.

Elvera is survived by her daughter, Jo Anne (Bill) Phillips, Stoughton; sons Andy (Selene) Gilbert, Wisconsin Rapids;; and Doug (Becky) Gilbert, Appleton; eight grandchildren, Willa (Tim) Panzer, Madison; Sara Phillips, Haslett, Mich.; Tim Phillips, Stoughton; Megan (Josh) Wiley, Fitchburg; Heidi (James) Miller, Minneapolis; Greg (Sophia) Gilbert, New York, NY; Katie (Jon) Linder, Ann Arbor, Mich.; Jennie Gilbert, La Crosse; two great grandchildren, Ryne and Shawn Panzer, Madison; sister-in-law Phyllis Schmidt, Newton, NJ; and brother-in-law Richard Gilbert, Georgetown, Texas; numerous nieces and nephews.

Elvera was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Dr. Franklin A. Gilbert, on November 25, 2005; her brother Ken Schmidt and her sister-in-law Marion Gilbert.

A private family memorial celebration will be held on Saturday, December 8, 2007. Burial will be in Highland Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family extends a special thank you to the entire staff of Birch Cottage at Peabody Manor for their loving care of Elvera. In addition we are thankful that at the time of Frank’s passing, she met a new friend, Libby Funk. They shared a friendship that brought joy to both of them and to the staff as a whole. The family will never forget the extraordinary support and genuine love for Elvera we witnessed while she resided at Peabody Manor, and in particular, during the last ten days of her life. She was much loved and will be greatly missed.

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
537 North Superior Street
Appleton 920-739-1231
www.wichmannfargo.com