Rosalie "Rosie" Gilson
Died June 14, 2016 at age 95 in her home in Woodburn Oregon.
Rosie was born August 18, 1920 to William and Mary Herrmann near Hannibal Mo.,
where the family operated a general store until the Great Depression forced them to
move westward to LaGrande, OR. There, she met and married Carl John Gilson. Their
marriage, producing three children...a daughter, Lenora; son, Kenneth; and son, Terrell
D, ("Terry"). These children and several other family members and friends were with her
during her last days.
Carl's positions with Union Pacific RR, necessitated several moves between Portland
and LaGrande as he gained promotions. In the 1960's 1970'
s, while based in Portland
the second time, Rosie worked about ten years for Bell Telephone before they moved
back to LaGrande where she operated an antique store for several years. When Carl
was promoted to head conductor of the Amtrak Pioneer passenger train it required their
final move back to Portland. After his retirement they moved to Woodburn Senior
Estates in 1980.. Carl died in 1998 and Rosalie stayed in their home until her death
Tuesday night.
In younger years, Rosie played accordion in community events, was a gifted pianist,
organist and had a beautiful singing voice. She loved fishing, travel and yard sales. She
was also a terrific competitor in a wide variety of table games, such as chess, dominoes
and nearly every common card game, even into her final month of life; she was the
family champion in a family considered good at those games. In her seventies, she
taught herself to use a computer and developed a small business and online friendships
on nearly every continent.
People seemed to gravitate around Rosie. It was not unusual for her to make a good,
lifelong
friend in just one conversation. She would often find friends or family members
sleeping on her famous long couch as they stopped by for a visit. Although that couch
had to be patched and repaired a couple of times, it was unthinkable that it would be
replaced due to its popularity with visitors and the fact that it could sleep three if
needed.
Rosalie is also survived by six grandchildren, Jeanette Brinker, Konnette Donaldson,
both of Beaverton, Or., Marc Gilson of Lake Oswego, Or., Malia Brown of Ventura, Ca.,
Eden Stright of Alexandria, Va., Adam Gilson of Ventura; Great Grandchildren; David
Brinker, State College PA, Carl Brinker, Portland, Corrie Etheredge, Portland, Shafer
Gilson all of Portland, OR, TC, Brown of Ventura, Zander and Grant Stright of

Alexandria VA, Halia Brown of Ventura and one Great Great Granddaughter, Elise
Brinker of State College, PA
A graveside memorial will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, June 20th, at the Island City
Cemetery near LaGrande.
Contributions to the American Cancer Society.