Arlene Gilbertson
November 18, 1920 - January 26, 2010
Obituary
Gilbertson, Arlene Hazel (Thacker, Syse)MADISON/WAUNAKEE-Arlene Gilbertson, age 89, passed away on Monday, Jan. 25, 2010, at Waunakee Manor. She was born on Nov. 18, 1920, in New Glarus, to Cecil and Estella (Black) Thacker. Arlene graduated from New Glarus High School. She married Ernest Ernie Gilbertson, who was the love of her life, on May 22, 1948, in Madison at the Swiss Reformed Church. He preceded her in death on April 13, 2000. Arlenes family was the center of her life. She enjoyed throughout her life the friends she made, especially the coffee clutch, in the Anchor Drive neighborhood she lived in for many years in Madison. Arlene moved to Waunakee in 2002 and lived the last years of her life on Reeve Drive and at Waunakee Manor. Vacationing Up North, playing cards, doing crossword puzzles, bird-watching and reading were her favorite pastimes. Arlene will be remembered for the beautiful counted cross-stitch she created and gave to many of her friends and relatives, and for the many photo albums in which she documented how much she enjoyed her life. She is survived by her daughter, Sharon Zindars of Waunakee; son, Ernest Gilbertson Jr. of Blue Mounds; grandson, Michael (Richelle) Zindars of Delaware, Ohio; great-grandchildren, Madelyn and Sophia Zindars; and godson, Roy Jr. (Anna) Bentley of Waunakee. Arlene was auntie-grandma to Roys sons, Jason, Ryan and Justin. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Mildred (Joseph) Burchik; brother-in-law, Peter Gilbertson; and many nieces and nephews. Arlene was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Ernest Sr.; a son, Norman Syse, from her first marriage to LeVaughn Syse; her parents; sister, Lois (Roy Sr.) Bentley; and brothers, Eldon (Irma) and Frederick (Fola) Thacker. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park. The people in your pictures just fade and fade and fade, until only the background remains. And you, of course, for a time.
Cemetery:
Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park.
Visitation:
Visitation will be at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
Service:
Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010.
Events
There are no events for Arlene yet.
Photos
No photos of Arlene have been shared yet.
Memories
MB
Mary L. Couture Baumgarten
Other •
My sympathy to Arlene's family. She was a wonderful neighbor to us. She took us in when our furnace wouldn't work and our house was cold. She gave us excellent advice because we were young and dumb. I appreciated her immensely and one day said, "What can I do to repay you?" She said, " Do it for someone else" Her legacy lives on. A wonderful woman.
NC
Norm Couture
Other •
I have many good memories of Arelene. She put up with my loud guitar music and band practice when we rehearsed in the basement next door at 3906 Anchor drive back in the late 70s.
I went out side on a cold winter day to shovel and found Arelene stranded on her icy sidewalk after slipping. I was strong enough to pick her up and carry her into her living room so she could wait for Big Ernie to come home to help her with her twisted ankle.
I remember the little dog Peso and how much fun it was to play with Peso when I was only about 7 years old.
I remember thier lawn was immaculate and I really needed to keep our lawn trimmings away from thier driveway after mowing.
She was a very special lady and she will be missed.
My sympathies to the family.