Nancy L. Gilbert

Nancy L. Gilbert, 84, of Pleasant Hill, IA, formerly of Mason City, IA, was called home to heaven, surrounded by her loving family, on Monday, October 20, 2014, at Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines, IA. Memorial services will be held 1:00 PM on Friday, October 24, 2014, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N Pennsylvania Ave., Mason City, with Rev. Dr. Richard Boatman of the Oakwood United Methodist Church in Pleasant Hill officiating. Inurnment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated for the Mason City Chapter of P.E.O. Nancy Biederman was born July 25, 1930, in Mason City, Iowa, the daughter of William and Grace (Allen) Biederman. The family moved to a farm near Rudd, Iowa, in 1936, and she attended the Rudd schools her first six grades. Then they moved to a farm near Osage, Iowa, and she finished her school years there, graduating from Osage High School in 1948. She attended the University of Iowa for two years and then moved to Mason City where she attended Hamilton Business College, graduating in 1951. She worked as secretary to Mr. Don Henn, the principal of Monroe Junior High School, Mason City, for four years. She married Don Gilbert on October 16, 1954, at the First Congregational Church in Mason City. They lived in Mason City except for brief sojourns in Phoenix, Arizona, Tyler, Texas, and Osage, Iowa. She was a long time member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ where she served on several boards. At the church she served as Secretary and President of Women’s Fellowship. She was Treasurer of the church for eight years. She was also a charter member of P.E.O. Chapter LB and held all offices including President. She belonged to Twentieth Century study club, also holding all offices. Nancy helped her husband for many years by serving as Secretary-Treasurer of his construction business. They built and lived in many new homes around Mason City. She loved her family, her church, her school days, reading, walking, chocolate, crostic puzzles, baking, and keeping records of all kinds, including financial, personal, and family. In 2009, she and Don sold their home and moved to The Willows in Mason City. After Don’s death in April of 2011, she moved to The Shores in Pleasant Hill, Iowa, to be close to her three children all living in Des Moines at the time. She loved living there and the staff and residents. Survivors include two daughters, Brenda Gilbert of Sparks, Nevada, and Nancy Gilbert (Mike Despenas) of Des Moines, Iowa; her son Darrell Gilbert (Brenda) of Johnston, Iowa; five grandchildren including Grace Willis, Kevin Willis, Jared Gilbert, Jenna Gilbert, and Nicole Gilbert; and a brother, Dick Biederman (Dora) of Osage, IA. She also leaves many special brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Don, parents, Grace & Bill Biederman, and sister, Dixie Pelo.

Cemetery:
Inurnment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated for the Mason City Chapter of P.E.O.

Service:
Memorial services will be held 1:00 PM on Friday, October 24, 2014, at Major Erickson Funeral Home