Thursday, April 25, 2024
Helen was born to the late Theresa Henricka Ettlin and Lee Baerny in Derringer, Washington, on January 26, 1929. She was the third child in a family of seven.
Her father, Lee, was born in Deiting, Switzerland, and immigrated to Washington where he and another Swiss farmhand purchased their own dairy farm in Derringer, now Sumner, Washington.
Growing up, Helen helped out on the family owned dairy farm and at a young age she became passionate about the Swiss community. Helen met Lloyd Allan Gilbertson in her 20s at the Spanish Castle Dance Hall in Seattle. They married shortly after at the Holy Family church rectory, and together raised three children, Scott, Valerie, and Greg.
Helen was a devout Catholic. As a mother, she was patient, compassionate, kind and held the family together through her faith and grace.
As she watched her children grow up, her biggest pride and joy was becoming a grandmother. She poured her entire heart into her family, and lit up talking about her grandchildren's baptisms, sport games, dance recitals, graduations, and weddings.
Helen is survived by her two sons, Scott Gilbertson and wife Denise of Edmonds; Greg Gilbertson and wife Elena of Snohomish; daughter Valerie and husband Tim Anderson of Jacksonville, Florida; grandchildren Danielle, Garrett, Parker, Gabrielle and Alexis; and her sister, Leona Reis of Federal Way.
