10 Feb 1924 – 14 Jun 2007
Wife of Vervin Raymond Gilson
Jean Erlandson Gilson, “Marner” passed away June 21, 2007, from complications following surgery at St. Mark’s Hospital. Marner was born February 10, 1924, and grew up in Payson, Utah. She married Vervin R. Gilson (Ponga) February 5, 1944, in Hondo, Texas, before Gil was assigned to the 741-ST bomb squadron in World War II. Marner worked in the chemistry lab at Geneva Steel and later ZCMI.
She is survived by her sons, Larry (Barbara) and James (Meg); five grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her son, Phil Gilson; daughter-in-law, Sharon Ruff Gilson; and brother, Douglas.
Jean was a shining example of America’s greatest generation. Jean and Gil lived through the great depression and World War II with grace, with little complaint, and certainly no self-pity. She showed us the blessings of unconditional love and the unwavering commitment to each other and their family. Marner never had an unspoken thought, but her strong opinions included a deep love for her children and grandchildren. She was an excellent seamstress. She designed numerous wedding dresses, suits, pants and ‘polo’ shirts. Her sons were well tailored until they reached an age of social discrimination and required Gant shirts from Auerbachs. With three sons, she longed for a girl. Her first grandchild was a boy and upon hearing the news of his birth, she was a little disappointed. She was later blessed with more grandchildren and great-grandchildren who were hand-fitted with gorgeous clothes throughout their lives.
Marner was a great contractor. She built six houses and loved to paint and decorate them. No professional could ever match her discerning standard of quality. Marner has had two holes-in-one and carried a 12 handicap in the Willow Creek Ladies Golf Association. She was State Best Ball Champion and few pros could ever out-chip her. She was also Club Bowling Champion. She maintained a 225 average for many years. Since her passing, she has probably been playing golf and enjoying the relief from the chronic back pain that plagued her the last few years of her life. Marner could clean the house, do the dishes, iron the clothes, feed the kids, and play 18 holes of golf before the neighbors were out of their morning bathrobes. She loved her house and would long to return home from a trip before they had even pulled out of the driveway. We all remember the day she left her three sons at the kitchen table to buy some milk for their cereal. Eighteen holes of golf later she returned to three boys waiting patiently at the kitchen table. Looking back, there was never a better homemaker, wife, sweetheart, match team player, or grandmother, than Marner. Everybody loved her and she loved her family. Her life is a testament of that.
It’s hard to say ‘in lieu of flowers’ she loved flowers! She was a beautiful gardener. In memory of her passing, plant some flowers for a loved one. A celebration of her life for friends and family will be held at the Willow Creek Country Club Wednesday, June 27, 2007, from 6-8 p.m.
Burial: Larkin Sunset Lawn Cemetery, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah.
