Helga Gilbert

** Video Tribute can be viewed by clicking on web link above ** Helga Gilbert, age 90 of Buffalo SD, died Sunday September 9th, 2012 at the Belle Fourche Health Care Center. The funeral service will be held 10am Wednesday September 12th, 2012 at the Buffalo Community Rec. Center, with Rev. Tom Martin officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will take place in the Buffalo Cemetery. Helga Ingrid Davidson was born January28th 1922 to Hans and Dina (Naverness) Davidson on their homestead seven miles southwest of Buffalo, SD. Helga and her sister Dagny Davidson Burt were active on the ranch with their parents. As both parents emigrated from Norway, the girls spoke Norwegian at home until they both attended the Anderson country school, where they learned to speak English. Helga then attended high school in Buffalo, SD. She boarded with the Glendenings, Carl Cornell’s and Vic Schwartz families and she worked part-time. After her graduation from Buffalo High School in 1938, she attended Business College in Rapid City for two years. Helga continued to help her mother manage the family ranch while working for Wynn Bennett, Attorney at Law, until 1941. Helga then worked in the Harding County Treasurer’s office and Auditor’s office until she was married. On May 15th, 1948, Helga was united in marriage to Lloyd Gilbert in Belle Fourche. To this union, two children were born: Ray Edward and Helen Marie. Lloyd and Helga ranched together on the Gilbert Angus Ranch until his sudden death in 1962. Helga continued to manage the ranch with the help of her children and stayed involved in community activities. She served as Harding County School District clerk from 1969 to 1975. She was a Worthy Matron in the Grand River Chapter 162 Order of the Eastern Star. In 1973, Helga moved to a new home in Buffalo, SD after her son Ray and his family took over the management of the ranch. She stayed busy during her retirement years by working at the Nation Center News and the Harding County Treasurer’s office. Helga always enjoyed playing cards with her friends, gardening, bowling, hunting and checking on the ranch activities. Traveling with her daughter Helen was also a wonderful pastime and they enjoyed many bowling tournaments together. She was especially fond of following her grandchildren, Andrea, Lloyd and Colt, during their many activities in high school and college. Helga was an inspiration of strength and tenacity to her entire family and friends. In 2005 she moved into the Edgewood Vista Assisted Living Center in Spearfish, SD after breaking her hip. She resided there until 2010 when she moved to the Belle Fourche Health Care Center. Helga is survived by her son, Ray (Linda) Gilbert of Buffalo; daughter, Helen (Rick) Van Dewerker of Spearfish and Surprise AZ; 3 grandchildren Andrea Gilbert of Buffalo WY, Lloyd (Patty) Gilbert of Buffalo SD, Colt Van Dewerker of AZ; 2 great grandchildren, Sawyer and Grey Gilbert of Buffalo SD; niece, Diana (Chuck) Davis of Buffalo SD; and numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lloyd in 1962; sister, Dagny Burt; 2 infant brothers; and 1 infant sister. Date of Birth January 28, 1922 – Buffalo, South Dakota Date of Death September 9, 2012 – Belle Fourche, South Dakota Funeral Service 10:00 A.M. – Wednesday – September 12th, 2012 Harding County Rec. Center Buffalo, South Dakota Officiant  Pastor Tom Martin Music “The Old Rugged Cross”, “How Great Thou Art” By the Holsti Sisters Honorary Casketbearers Grand River Chapter 162 Order of the Eastern Star Active Casketbearers Leet Fowler                                                             Mark Heairet Lloyd Gilbert                                               Colt Van Dewerker Donn Hett                                                                   Boyd Waara Interment Buffalo Cemetery Buffalo, South Dakota