Marlys I.J. Gilbert

June 15, 1924 ~ December 9, 2011

Marlys Gilbert passed away on Friday, December 9, 2011 at 9:30am. Her viewing will be at Whitehurst, Norton & Dias Funeral Chapel on Friday, December 16th from 5pm to 7pm located at 286 West Main Street in Turlock. There will be two memorial services, the first on Saturday, December 17th at 11am in Berg Hall at Covenant Village of Turlock, located at 2125 North Olive Avenue. The second memorial service will be on Saturday, January 7th at 11am at Elim Mission Church in Cokato, Minnesota located at 406 Broadway Avenue South.

Marlys was born to David and Mabel Blad on June 15, 1924 in Hector, Minnesota. She had one brother and five sisters. The Blads moved to Buffalo, Minnesota where Marlys graduated from Buffalo High School. Marlys was married to Laton Gilbert on December 31st, 1942. Five sons were born into their family. Laton and Marlys spent their early years farming in Minnesota. As the boys grew older and were all in school, Marlys started working in the Twin Cities for Carlson Companies. She was also very active in the Republican Party, 4H and the Women Christian Temperance Union. The family attended the Albion Evangelical Free Church in Cokato, Minnesota where Marlys was very active in Sunday School, Prayer Meetings, Vacation Bible School, Ladies Aid and served on numerous committees. Then in 1970 Laton, Marlys and their youngest son, Tom, moved to California where Marlys got her real estate license and sold residential real estate in Contra Costa County of the San Francisco Bay Area. The Walnut Creek Evangelical Free Church became their church home where Marlys worshipped regularly and participated in Church Bible Studies as well. After many years in the Walnut Creek/Concord area, Laton and Marlys moved to Turlock. Marlys continued to do some real estate sales part-time, but enjoyed her church, family and friends. Turlock Covenant Church became their new church home and they loved all the family and friends that worshipped with them. Marlys was known for her strong Christian testimony and was able to carry on a conversation about almost any subject. She was an avid reader and especially knew her Bible well.

The family will miss her a great deal. Her husband, Laton, both her parents, David and Mabel Blad, her brother, Herb Blad, sisters Myrt Hanson, Ett Gabrielson, Lucy Lundeen, Ruby Pimentel, daughter-in-law Phyllis Gilbert and grandson Todd Gilbert preceded her in death. She is survived by five sons, Gary and his wife Sharon of Henning, Minnesota, Bruce and his wife Sandy of Plymouth, Minnesota, Jim of Turlock, California, Ron and his wife Gene of Howard Lake, Minnesota and Tom of Concord, California. 13 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren also survive Marlys.

Internment will be at Turlock Memorial Park and memorials can be given to Turlock Covenant Church or the Benevolent Fund of Covenant Village of Turlock.

Services under the direction of Whitehurst, Norton & Dias Funeral Service

826 W Main St. Turlock, Ca 95380

www.whitehurstnortondiasfuneral.com