Ilene Gembala, 98

Ilene Gembala, 98, passed away peacefully at Brendan House on Jan. 23, 2022, with her daughter and son-in-law by her side.

Ilene was born in Loup City, Nebraska, to Charles and Victoria McCarville; she was the oldest of 10 children. She grew up on the family farm outside of Loup City; she attended a small country school not far from the farm through eighth grade and high school in Loup City. Ilene went to work at the young age of 14 at a meat market, she then worked at a dry goods store. From there she went to work for Montgomery Ward for four years before going to work for the U.S. government in Hastings, Nebraska, at the Naval Ammunition Depot where she did munitions inventory.

In 1954 she married Leonard Gembala, whom she had known since they were young children; together they had a son and daughter. In 1956 Leonard, Ilene and their young son, Terry, left Nebraska and moved to Bigfork In 1958 they welcomed daughter Kathy to their family. In 1977 her husband Leonard passed away. After his passing, Ilene worked at Bigfork schools for 22 years until her retirement. First in the lunchroom and then transferring to the library as an aide, a co-worker gave her the nickname "Marion the Librarian!" She loved seeing all the children that came through the library each day. Ilene was very active in the community as a Cub Scout leader, 441 leader, a member of the Bigfork Lady Lions and she was a longtime member of the Ferndale Sewing Circle. She was a member of St. Catherine's Catholic Church and was very active, serving on the CCW, teaching Sunday school and serving as a Eucharistic minister. She was also a member of Saint John Paul II Catholic Church. Ilene loved entertaining family and friends, playing cards, quilting, gardening, traveling, bowling and throwing dice at Bunko. She could be seen on a regular basis throughout her years in Bigfork supporting Bigfork School Athletics; she especially enjoyed cheering on her kids, grandkids and their teammates. Ilene resided in Bigfork for 60 plus years. In 2018 due to declining health she moved to Brendan House where she resided until her passing.

She was preceded In death by her parents Charles and Victoria, husband Leonard, son Terry, sisters Caroline Sonnefeld, Leona Kowalski and Alice Spiehs, brother Donald McCarvIlIe, and twin infant great-granddaughters Nola and Kinlee Dennison.

Ilene is survived by her daughter Kathy Dennison (husband Dan), daughter-in-law Zoerene Gembala, grandchildren Daphne Dennison, Dustin Dennison (wife Cassie), Kristen Walker (husband Steve), Paula Gembala, Patrick Gembala (wife Shawn), great-grandchildren Ava and Brenna Walker, Syri and Camri Dennison, Brinley and Jordyn Gembala, her brother Leonard McCarviIIe, sisters Joanne Kalkowski, Louise Hartman, Donnette Danburg and Betty Labs as well as many nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass will be held at Saint John Paul II Catholic Church in Bigfork on Friday, Feb. 4, at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to the Bigfork Food Bank or charity of choice.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Ilene and her family.