DONALD GILBERT

Donald A. Gilbert, of Neenah, age 84, passed away at his home on Monday, January 26, 2009. He was born September 14, 1924, in Halstad, MN; son of the late Allan and Amanda (Nordby) Gilbert. Don served in the U.S. Army as a Corporal with the 84th Infantry Division during WWII from 1943 to 1945. He was captured by the Germans and held as a POW and was a recipient of two Purple Hearts. After the war Don received his Engineering Degree from the University of Minnesota, graduating in August 1948. He married Mary Frost on April 23, 1949 in Minneapolis, and was employed with 3M in St. Paul, MN and St. Louis, MO. In 1971, the Gilberts moved to the Fox Valley, and Don went to work for Butler Manufacturing as a Sales Manager, retiring in 1988. He was an avid reader , bridge player and enjoyed golf, tennis, walking, and spending time with his family, friends, and favorite granddog, Charlie. Don was a very active 38 year member of the First Presbyterian Church of Neenah. Survivors include his wife, Mary; three children: Cathy (Dan) VanVreede, Roswell, GA, Ann Mrotek, Appleton, Peggy (Kareem) Messawer, Alpharetta, GA; four granddaughters: Amanda and Amy Mrotek, Mimi and Isabelle Messawer; his sister, Bea (Bob) Clark, Boulder City, NV; a brother-in-law, Charles (Lou) Frost, Stillwater, MN; and three nephews: David, Tom and Peter Frost and their families. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, January 30, 2009, 12:00 Noon, at the First Presbyterian Church, 200 Church St., Neenah, with the Rev. Paul W. Huxtable and the Rev. Richard J. Moore officiating. Visitation will be held at the church Friday from 10:30 a.m. until the hour of the memorial service.