Katherine Jean Gilbert

Katherine Jean Gilbert, 96, of Kearney, formerly of Lincoln and Grand Island, died Saturday, May 11, 2019, at the Central Nebraska Veterans Home in Kearney. Memorial service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 24, 2019 at Christ United Methodist Church in Lincoln, NE with the Reverend Richard Randolph officiating. Katherine Jean chose to be cremated; inurnment will be at Wyuka Cemetery in Lincoln, next to her beloved husband William. Memorials are suggested to Heifer International. Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island is assisting the family. Online condolences may be directed to www.apfelfuneralhome.com.



Katherine Jean was born on March 24, 1923, in Normal, Nebraska, to Katharine and Roy Albert. She grew up in Lincoln, attending Normal Elementary School, Irving Junior High School, Lincoln High School and also the University of Nebraska, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in home economics.



On November 30, 1944, she was married at Bryan Memorial Methodist Church in Lincoln to William T. Gilbert while he was serving in the United States Army. After that the couple lived in Lincoln during World War II and in Torrington, Connecticut, following the war. Eventually they moved back to Lincoln for the remainder of their married years. She worked for Dr. Samuel Miller for a number of years and then was employed in health underwriting for Woodmen’s Insurance Company in Lincoln.



Katherine Jean was a member of Christ United Methodist Church, Home Economics Club, Kappa Phi, and a study group at church. She served as a Sunday school teacher as well as a leader of Girl Scouts, Methodist Youth Fellowship, 4-H and Camp Fire Girls. She enjoyed sewing, reading, growing flowers, her pet cats, and serving at her church. She excelled at being a mom, a grandmother and a great-grandmother.



Katherine Jean is survived by children: William Thatcher Gilbert III and Katherine Jean (Charles) Lentz; grandchildren: Timothy (Elpidia) Lentz, Mark Lentz, Sarah Kate (Andrew) Houser and Jonathan (Anne) Lentz; great-grandchildren: Esmeralda Lentz-Novoa, Carlos Lentz-Novoa, Gavriel Houser, and Amelia Lentz; nieces and nephews: Evagene Bond, Richard (Diann) Kalsbeek, Michael (Peggy) Albert and Julie (Michael Cearlock) Albert.



She was preceded in death by her husband, William Thatcher Gilbert II; sister, Grace Kalsbeek; and brother, Frederick Albert.