Of Sioux Falls, SD, died September 3, 2015, at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. She was 87.
Marcella Irene Gilbert, daughter of Amelia (Richter) and William Emeott, was born December 14, 1927, on Maria Avenue in St. Paul, MN. She attended Harding High School in St. Paul where she graduated in 1944. Marcella then worked for the US Government in the GI Insurance Department for ten years. During that time, she met Donald Henry Gilbert at the Coliseum Roller Rink.
Donald and Marcella were married on Friday, March 11, 1949. They resided on County Road C in Maplewood, MN. Marcella worked for Keller's Golf Course, and also for Snyder Brothers Drugstore in the evenings. The couple had three sons. From 1968 to 1978, she worked for the 3M Company.
Following retirement, they sold their home of twenty years and moved to Garrison, MN so they could better enjoy their passion of fishing on Mille Lacs Lake. During this time, Don and Marcella managed a Dairy Queen and the couple wintered in Tucson, AZ. In the early 1980s, they moved to Sioux City to be closer to family. They continued working with Dairy Queen.
They moved to El Cajon, CA in 1984 where they had lived for 25 years. During this time, she worked as a bookkeeper for RJK Construction, and then worked part time for Vista Grande Elementary School for ten years. She liked being with the children during recess time and helping out with making holiday crafts. Don and Marcella enjoyed many trips to Sea World, Disneyland, and camping with Elks Club members. They also enjoyed riding their dune buggy and spending time at the desert with family members. Outgoing and friendly, Don and Marcella made friends wherever they would go.
During the summer months, Don and Marcella enjoyed coming back to their twin home in Sioux Falls and spending time with the grandchildren. They cherished time attending the grandkids' soccer, tennis and softball events.
Marcella enjoyed crocheting, making cards, scrapbooking, traveling, and especially keeping up with the Minnesota Vikings! She never missed a birthday, anniversary or holiday, and always kept her family close to her heart.
Grateful for having shared her life are her three sons, Howard Gilbert (Jill), Golden Valley, MN, Greg Gilbert (Monica), El Cajon, CA, Scott Gilbert (Kathy), Sioux Falls; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and her brother, Roger Emeott (Helen), White Bear Lake, MN. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral Services will be held 2:00 Thursday, September 10, 2015, at Sandberg Funeral Home, 2593 E. 7th Avenue, North St. Paul, MN. Visitation will begin ½ hour prior to service time.