Phyllis Jo Gilbert (Wicklund)

Gilbert, Phyllis Jo (nee Wicklund) 

Phyllis Gilbert of Edina, age 82, went home to be with her heavenly Father on Wednesday, June 3 following a courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease. Preceded in death by her parents,Phil and Jo Wicklund. 

Survived by her husband of nearly 60 years, Richard; her children, Scott and Nicole (Darrin); granddaughters Lulu and Ruby, and sister Joyce (David). She also leaves behind many relatives and dear friends. 

Born in Minneapolis, Phyllis spent her childhood and high school years in Pelican Rapids, MN. She went on to attend the University of Minnesota earning a certificate in Dental Assisting, and later graduated Cum Laude with a BS in Dental Education. 

In 1963, Phyllis met Dick while both students at the U of M, and shortly after Dick returned from his tenure as a Marine in Vietnam. They married in 1966, eventually settling in Edina to start their family. 

Their welcoming homes in Edina and later Pelican Rapids were always filled with family, friends and neighbors. Phyllis enjoyed an extensive career in the dental industry, working first in a private practice as a chairside hygienist and later an office manager, and finally, an administrator. She worked as an instructor and lecturer over the years in various capacities. 

She joined Park Dental in 1981, and enjoyed a wonderful career there before retiring in 1999. She received countless honors and accolades during her career, including serving two terms as president of the MN Board of Dentistry. In addition, she published several papers and developed curriculums related to her field Phyllis put 110 percent into all that she did in life, including herwide variety of hobbies. 

A voracious reader, she was active in several book clubs at a time. She was a gifted needlepoint artist, earning countless ribbons at the Minnesota State Fair. She was an amazing cook, gardener, and entertainer, and a more organized multi-tasker one may never find. She was active inPEO chapter E, AAUW, and Mount Olivet Church. 

Most remarkably, Phyllis balanced her career and hobbies while always putting her family first. Phyllis was a friend to everyone she met. With the patience of a saint, she was warm and welcoming to all. She was smart, witty, and her signature laugh was contagious! 

Family and friendships meant the world to her (she and her 4 childhood friends took 18 different "girls trips" over the years, creating lifetime memories in their various travels). In the early years of Dick and Phyllis's retirement, they moved from their longtime home on W. 55th Street in Edina back to Phyllis's hometown of Pelican Rapids. Here, they restored a 100-year-old farmhouse, and learned how to farm Red Angus cattle. 

In 1999, Phyllis and Dick retired from their farming venture, and built their dream home on an adjacent 125-acre farm on Lake Lida. During these years, they enjoyed travels all around the world, and in particular enjoyed their winters months spent in Green Valley, Arizona. 

In 2017, Phyllis and Dick moved back to Edina, spending time watching their beloved granddaughters grow up, and getting involved again with Mount Olivet Church, as well as Habitat for Humanity and other causes. 

Services will be held at 1:00 on Tuesday, August 4 at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church, Minneapolis. Memorials preferred to The Mount Olivet Home (5517 Lyndale Ave S. Mpls, 55419), Grace Hospice (1015 N. 4th Ave, St 206, Mpls, 55405), or PEO Chapter E. 

The family expresses their heartfelt gratitude for the wonderful care that Phyllis received from The Mount Olivet Home and Grace Hospice.