Avis Aletta Gingery Gilbert, 85

Avis Aletta Gingery Gilbert was born Nov. 1, 1936, in Plains, Montana. On Feb. 8, 2022, she passed due to a long illness at her home in Evergreen surrounded by family.

Avis, a native of Northwest Montana, was the daughter of Francis Peter and Aletta Mae Kennedy Gingery. Avis grew up near the Flathead Mines, where her father was employed. She moved to the Kalispell area and attended schools in Evergreen and then Flathead County High School.

She married George N. Gilbert in 1958 in Kalispell. For a time, they lived in the North Fork where her husband worked as a packer for the U.S. Forest Service. They relocated to Evergreen in 1962 and raised a family of four daughters. Avis was an active PTA volunteer and home room mother. She was a devoted mother, daughter, wife and grandmother. She also cared for children and families in her community. Avis never passed up a yard sale or an antique store and was an avid collector during her lifetime. She volunteered with the Montana Democratic Party and was a passionate lifelong Democrat.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Robert Francis Gingery, her husband, and a daughter Cristal L. Gilbert.

She is survived by her daughters Cindie (Lewis) Wright of Stevenson Ranch, California; Carrie Gilbert, and Cathie Gilbert, both of Kalispell. Her grandchildren include Cambria Happ (Neal Couture) of Columbus, Ohio; Jeff Happ of Valencia, California; Michelle (Billy) Roberts of Kalispell; Christopher (Allison) Rode of Olympia, Washington; and Brendan (Deni) Rice of Kalispell. Her great grandchildren include Aidan Roberts of Fresno, California; Olivia and Isabella Happ of Valencia; and Lily Roberts of Kalispell.

Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Montana Democratic Party or the Montana Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.