Nelle Arlene Gilbert of Lake City and Saginaw passed away March 14, 2013 at Covenant Health Care in Saginaw. She was 90 years old.
She was born October 11, 1922 in Saginaw to Lionel and Mary (Blumke) Snyder. Nelle attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and graduated from Hemlock High School in 1941 and attended Delta College.
Nelle worked at Hemlock State Bank until the war ended, when her future husband, Delbert P. Gilbert returned from the S. Pacific. They were married May 11, 1946, shortly after World War II ended and were happily married for 62 ½ years until his death in 2008.
After Nelle retired from Dow Corning Medical Plant as an inspector in Quality Control, they enjoyed many years at their home in Lake City as well as traveling to Florida and Alabama.
Nelle had many interests, including oil paintings, acrylics and stained glass, and showed her artwork up north and in Florida and Alabama. She also sold many art pieces. She was an expert seamstress and worked at “The Gown Shop” which featured ladies specialty dresses. She enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening. Other hobbies include knitting, crocheting, quilting and playing cards and games with family. She has owned her special friend, her parrot, “Peaches” since 1983.
She was a member of both St. Stephen Catholic Church in Lake City and Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Saginaw.
She is survived by her children, Della Gaul of Chesaning, Cindy G. Jacovitch of Midland, Jenelle L. Bartlett and husband Gary of Mt. Pleasant, Gilbert F. Gilbert of Breckenridge, and Delbert E. Gilbert and wife Marsha of Shields. She is also survived by her daughter in law, Cindy Gilbert, 9 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her son, Fredrick P. Gilbert, her son in law, Paul T. Jacovitch and two brothers, Lionel (Bud) Snyder and Abe Snyder.
The family will receive friends Friday, March 22, 2013 from 2:00 to 6:00 pm at the Young Funeral Home in Lake City. Funeral Mass will be held 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at the St. Stephen Catholic Church in Lake City with Rev. Craig Haider officiating. A visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. until time of service.
Burial will be in the Lake City Cemetery.

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