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Shirley Gale Gilbert

| May 19, 2018 1:00 AM

Shirley Gale Gilbert was born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 7, 1965. At the age of 10, she moved to Winsor, Colorado; at 16 she began a career that spanned 37 years at being the best waitress she could be.

On April 7, 1986 she met her partner for life on her 21st birthday, when she beat him in two out of three games of 8 ball and he spilled a pitcher of beer on her.

Upon arriving in North Idaho in May of 1987 while coming off of Fourth of July pass to Wolf Lodge she commented, “Oh my God, it’s beautiful.” This began her lore of North Idaho and its people.

On May 30, 1990, she gave birth to the pride of her life, her son Kurtis, who walked her down the aisle when her and Ken were married on December 29, 1993.

In 1998 they moved to Cocolalla, Idaho, where she worked at the View Cafe and other restaurants in the area until ending up at her beloved Hoot Owl, until her death on April 25, 2018

She was preceded in death by her mother, Barbara Thomas. She is survived by her husband, Ken; her son, Kurtis; granddaughter Kaili Ann; sister Lana; brothers Danny and Gregory, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The outpouring of condolences and support from the people of North Idaho and beyond has been unprecedented and greatly appreciated by the Gilbert and Thomas families.

There will be a memorial benefit dinner in honor of Shirley on May 27, 2018, at the Hoot Owl at 3 p.m.

Family and friends are invited to sign Shirley’s online guestbook at coffeltfuneral.com

Arrangements have been placed in the care of Coffelt Funeral Services of Sandpoint.