Garn Lamar Gilbert

Garn Lamar Gilbert, 89, of Othello, passed away on Wednesday May 25, 2011 at the Avalon Care Center.

Garn was born on February 22, 1922, in Duchesne, Utah, to Ozza L. and Aurilla (Ross) Gilbert. His mother passed away when he was ten months old. Two years later his father married Rosey Meranda, who loved him as a mother and who he lovingly called "Mama". He attended high school in Roosevelt, Utah, and one year at the Agricultural College of Utah (now Utah State University). While in high school Garn met Barbara Lusty. On November 14, 1944, Garn and Barbara were married and sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Garn joined the Merchant Marines during WWll, serving as a ships cook in the Pacific war zone. After his discharge, Garn and Barbara lived in Arcadia, Utah, until 1958 when they moved to the Columbia Basin to farm, settling in Othello. In 1965 they were asked by the Ore-Ida Company to move to Greenville, Michigan, to grow potatoes. They returned to Othello in 1966 and resumed their farming eventually adding a dairy operation and dairy product processing plant to their business interests. In 1989 Garn and Barbara served an LDS mission in Philadelphia, PA and in 1992 they departed for their second mission in Birmingham, AL. In 1996 as they were preparing for a third mission Garn suffered a debilitating stroke. For a few years he continued to help on the farm and travel to be with family, but eventually the effects of the stroke kept him at home where he and Barbara enjoyed each other and their family.

Garn's greatest passion was his family, and his love for the soil and farming provided many opportunities for being and working with his children. Many of his children's fondest memories include one-on-one times with him as they worked together. He insisted on family unity and harmony and would not allow fighting or quarreling among his children. Family home evenings always included the singing of "Love at Home." He loved his occupation of farming and being a part of the process of Mother Nature in planting and nurturing crops as they grew to maturity and harvest. He took great pleasure in experimenting with crops and watching their diverse natures, at one time growing as many as 11 different crops.

Garn was a life long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as a bishop of the Arcadia (Utah) Ward, a stake high councilman in Michigan, and a youth leader, chorister and Sunday school teacher in Othello. In addition to their missions, Garn and Barbara served as ordinance workers in the Seattle Temple for several years.

Garn is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Barbara, and two brothers, Robert and Glen. He is survived by his sons, Gerald (Teresa) and Robert (Kathleen) both of Othello, Neil (Susan) of Mt. Vernon, IA and Douglas (Sharon) of Vicksburg, MI, his daughters, Rosalie (Douglas) Wilkinson of Murray, UT, Elaine (Brad) Risenmay of Othello, and Linda (Charlie) Regalado of Spokane, 30 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, brothers Howard (Betty) of Roosevelt, UT, Bryant (Lois) of Otto, NC, LeGrand (Nancy) of Arcadia, UT and Larry (Pauline) of Puyallup, his sisters Ruth Murphy of Bountiful, UT and Ellen (Jack) Goodrich of Othello.

Visitation will be held on Friday, June 3, 2011 at Stevens Funeral Chapel from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM and on Saturday June 4, 2011 at the LDS Stake Center in Othello from 9:00 AM until 9:45 AM. A celebration of Garn's life will follow at the Stake Center at 10:00 AM and will conclude with interment at Bess Hampton Memorial Gardens. Memorials are suggested to the LDS Church Humanitarian Fund through an LDS bishop or at www.lds.org. To sign the guest book and leave a note for the family please visit stevensfuneralchapel.com. Services entrusted to Stevens Funeral Chapel.