Obituary for Margaret (Scherdt) Gilbert
Margaret Florence Gilbert, age 101, passed away on February 15, 2023 in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Margaret was born at home, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Ernest and Bertha (Oberschmidt) Scherdt on May 15, 1921. She spent some time at a one room schoolhouse before graduating from Ann Arbor High School, in 1938, and went on to marry Robert H. Gilbert on April 7, 1943.
Margaret grew up on a farm and always had a love of animals. As a young married woman, she could often be found milking cows or driving a tractor alongside her husband, Bob. She was also known for giving her favorite animals names. In addition to farming, she also worked at the County Extension office and at one point, the Draft Board; she even had to send Bob his draft letter.
Margaret’s faith was very important to her and she spent many years as a member of St. Andrews UCC in Dexter, Michigan. She was their church secretary for over 20 years, enjoyed singing in their choir, and was the first woman elected to their Consistory Board. She and Bob made many friends through their church community.
Over the years, Margaret enjoyed many hobbies, including crocheting and embroidery. She loved to gift afghans and pillowcases as wedding and baby shower gifts as well as kitchen towels and dishcloths. She enjoyed gardening and gained a love of growing dahlias for many years with Bob. They acquired many lifelong friends through the Dahlia Society and spent lots of years going to dahlia shows and showing their beautiful flowers.
While married, Margaret and Bob enjoyed their time spent up north vacationing and began making trips to other places like the Canadian Rockies, the Grand Canyon, Nova Scotia, and even Hawaii. With a love of flowers and warm weather, they eventually became snowbirds and spent their winters enjoying the sunny skies of Florida. Margaret took up golfing and found that not only did she thoroughly enjoy it she was also lucky enough to earn herself a hole in one. Their years in Florida were spent playing golf, doing crafts, playing cards, and thoroughly enjoying the group of friends that they made. Margaret even joined a kitchen band with her friends, dressing up and playing instruments from kitchen gadgets and pots and pans.
Later in life, when Margaret lost her husband, she no longer took trips to Florida but gained a love of traveling with family and friends. She took trips to New Zealand (twice) as well as Australia. She enjoyed trips up north with her daughter and granddaughter and even a few with her great-grandson. She especially loved Lake Michigan, no matter the temperature she always had to put her feet in the water if she was anywhere near it.
When the time came for Margaret to move into assisted living, she found a second home at The Gilbert Residence. It felt like it was meant to be considering she wasn’t related to the founder; she just happened to have the same last name. She spent almost five years enjoying the activities, conversations, and comfort that the staff all provided. She felt at home, loved the staff, and in turn they loved her like family.
One of Margaret’s greatest joys in the last few years has been her great-grandson Cam. She would light up when he was in the room and fully enjoyed their time together whatever they were doing. He spent many hours going to activities with her as well as playing games, drawing pictures, reading books, and entertaining her whenever he could.
Margaret will be greatly missed by her family, her church family, her Gilbert Residence family, and especially her great-grandson, Cam. She has touched so many lives and made us all better because of it.
Margaret is preceded in death by her husband, Robert; her son, William as well as a few very cherished nephews, and a beloved niece.
Margaret is survived by her daughter, Kathy Warner (Dave Gilmore); granddaughter, Robyn (Derek) Lachman; great-grandson, Camden Lachman, as well as many nieces, a nephew, and a loving group of extended family.
Visitation will be held at Nie Funeral Home - 3767 W. Liberty Road, Ann Arbor on Sunday, February 19, 2023 from 2:00 -4:00 pm and 6:00 -8:00 pm. The service will take place at St. Andrews UCC - 7610 Ann Arbor St, Dexter on Monday, February 20, 2023 with visitation beginning at 10:00 am and the service beginning at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts in memory of Margaret be made to St. Andrews UCC - 7610 Ann Arbor St, Dexter, Michigan 48130 or to Trinity Hospice (giving.stjoeshealth.org/ann-arbor).
Margaret was born at home, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Ernest and Bertha (Oberschmidt) Scherdt on May 15, 1921. She spent some time at a one room schoolhouse before graduating from Ann Arbor High School, in 1938, and went on to marry Robert H. Gilbert on April 7, 1943.
Margaret grew up on a farm and always had a love of animals. As a young married woman, she could often be found milking cows or driving a tractor alongside her husband, Bob. She was also known for giving her favorite animals names. In addition to farming, she also worked at the County Extension office and at one point, the Draft Board; she even had to send Bob his draft letter.
Margaret’s faith was very important to her and she spent many years as a member of St. Andrews UCC in Dexter, Michigan. She was their church secretary for over 20 years, enjoyed singing in their choir, and was the first woman elected to their Consistory Board. She and Bob made many friends through their church community.
Over the years, Margaret enjoyed many hobbies, including crocheting and embroidery. She loved to gift afghans and pillowcases as wedding and baby shower gifts as well as kitchen towels and dishcloths. She enjoyed gardening and gained a love of growing dahlias for many years with Bob. They acquired many lifelong friends through the Dahlia Society and spent lots of years going to dahlia shows and showing their beautiful flowers.
While married, Margaret and Bob enjoyed their time spent up north vacationing and began making trips to other places like the Canadian Rockies, the Grand Canyon, Nova Scotia, and even Hawaii. With a love of flowers and warm weather, they eventually became snowbirds and spent their winters enjoying the sunny skies of Florida. Margaret took up golfing and found that not only did she thoroughly enjoy it she was also lucky enough to earn herself a hole in one. Their years in Florida were spent playing golf, doing crafts, playing cards, and thoroughly enjoying the group of friends that they made. Margaret even joined a kitchen band with her friends, dressing up and playing instruments from kitchen gadgets and pots and pans.
Later in life, when Margaret lost her husband, she no longer took trips to Florida but gained a love of traveling with family and friends. She took trips to New Zealand (twice) as well as Australia. She enjoyed trips up north with her daughter and granddaughter and even a few with her great-grandson. She especially loved Lake Michigan, no matter the temperature she always had to put her feet in the water if she was anywhere near it.
When the time came for Margaret to move into assisted living, she found a second home at The Gilbert Residence. It felt like it was meant to be considering she wasn’t related to the founder; she just happened to have the same last name. She spent almost five years enjoying the activities, conversations, and comfort that the staff all provided. She felt at home, loved the staff, and in turn they loved her like family.
One of Margaret’s greatest joys in the last few years has been her great-grandson Cam. She would light up when he was in the room and fully enjoyed their time together whatever they were doing. He spent many hours going to activities with her as well as playing games, drawing pictures, reading books, and entertaining her whenever he could.
Margaret will be greatly missed by her family, her church family, her Gilbert Residence family, and especially her great-grandson, Cam. She has touched so many lives and made us all better because of it.
Margaret is preceded in death by her husband, Robert; her son, William as well as a few very cherished nephews, and a beloved niece.
Margaret is survived by her daughter, Kathy Warner (Dave Gilmore); granddaughter, Robyn (Derek) Lachman; great-grandson, Camden Lachman, as well as many nieces, a nephew, and a loving group of extended family.
Visitation will be held at Nie Funeral Home - 3767 W. Liberty Road, Ann Arbor on Sunday, February 19, 2023 from 2:00 -4:00 pm and 6:00 -8:00 pm. The service will take place at St. Andrews UCC - 7610 Ann Arbor St, Dexter on Monday, February 20, 2023 with visitation beginning at 10:00 am and the service beginning at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts in memory of Margaret be made to St. Andrews UCC - 7610 Ann Arbor St, Dexter, Michigan 48130 or to Trinity Hospice (giving.stjoeshealth.org/ann-arbor).