Sunshine warmed his worn body while his favorite birds sang his praises and the trees whispered his name in gratitude. The corn and soybeans had broken ground creating a wave of green across his fields. His children by his side, a farmer's journey had come to an end and his land embraced him one last time as he joined his family in the heavens.

Dennis Lee Gilbert always wanted to be a farmer. That journey began October 14, 1934, when he made his entrance during the depression, the second son of Dennis Maxwell Gilbert and Helen Young Gilbert, and came to an end in the house he dearly loved on May 31, 2026.

His childhood was spent in and around Prairie City, Jasper County, Iowa attending country school, helping with farm work, hunting for scrap coal and metal around the mines for extra money while weekends were spent at his beloved Grandparents farm (George 'Pete' Gilbert & Kate Hess Gilbert) where he shared a room with his Uncle Sonny. During his teen years, the family moved to a farm in Polk County, Iowa and he continued his education at Farrar High School (class of 1952) where he met the love of his life, Donna Morrison, and they would spend over 70 years together, marrying in 1956.

After graduation, Dennis volunteered for the draft during the Korean War entering the US Army October 30, 1953 serving as Combat Construction Specialist with the 4th Infantry Division in Germany earning the National Defense Service Medal and exiting with the rank of Corporal in 1955.

The military also gave him a chance to further his education, and as a lifelong Iowa Hawkeyes fan, he enrolled in the University of Iowa engineering program earning accolades and high grades; however he still dreamt of being a farmer. A family farm homesteaded in 1849 called to his dream and he moved his family in 1960 to Jasper County, Iowa setting up camp in a small mobile home trailer, then building a home on a knoll with endless views. There he sunk his dreams, hopes and passions into the black soil.

Corn, soybeans, hay, cattle, hogs, horses mixed with environmental concerns became his daily life. That brilliant mind was always on the hunt for new technologies and techniques to better the farm's outcome while looking for ways to create environmental changes that would protect and preserve his beloved farmland. His favorite part of farm life was his ever-changing cattle herd and he forged bonds with his cows and gazed with wonder at the new calves dotting the pastures in Spring.

His farm community was a close knit group and Dennis was always on hand to help a neighbor, chat about the weather or grain prices over a thermos of coffee, to taking part in planting and harvesting seasons. Dennis loved to combine the fields. Just loved moving that big machine through rows and rows of golden stalks of corn. During his lifetime, Dennis continued to explore his interests, including gaining his pilot's license and his own Cessna 150 plane, mastering the game of golf and traveling the United States and its historical sites especially from the Civil War era. An avid sports fan, he especially loved college football, basketball and softball (Go

Hawkeyes!), and enjoyed playful and sometimes very competitive rivalries with friends and family.

In his retirement, Dennis and his wife Donna enjoyed spending winters in the sun. Surrounded by his Young cousins in the same retirement community in Mesa, AZ, they were a fun-loving group. Happy hours, late night card games and multi-stop driving vacations were accompanied by a lot of laughs and love.

Dennis was a lifelong animal lover beginning with his childhood dog Lady. Countless farm cats and dogs, and in-door house cats were showered with love and affection, but none more than his soul-dog Dusty, a small Maltese with a big personality that could always be found curled up in his lap during his retirement years.

This farmer, the elder statesman of the land, was also a son, brother, husband, father and friend. He reunites in the heavens with his parents, Dennis Maxwell Gilbert & Helen Young Gilbert, his siblings Charles, Martha and Susan Gilbert, and his beloved wife Donna Lee Morrison Gilbert. Surviving and missing him are his children Douglas Gilbert and Deborah Gilbert, grandchild Sierra (Ruby) Connolly, great-grandchildren Lyanna and Glenn, and his children's pets that loved nothing more than to be with their Grandpa: Pippa, Juniper, Clover, Percy and Dove

Arrangements handled by coburnfuneralhomes.com

A graveside service will take place at Iowa Veteran's Cemetery Tuesday/June 9th at 11a. If attending, please arrive 20 minutes prior and gather at the administrative office. Vehicles will line up and be guided to the Commitment Ceremony area. Location: 34024 Veterans Memorial Drive, Adel, Iowa

Memorial donations:

Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Inc in memory of Dennis L Gilbert via mail to the following address: Attn: Donations, 5452 NE 22nd Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50313-2528 or via their website: www.arl-iowa.org

Iowa Veterans Cemetery in memory of Dennis L Gilbert via mail to the following address: IDVA Iowa Veterans Cemetery, 34024 Veterans Memorial Dr., Adel, IA 50003

A donor box is also located in the vestibule of the Administration Building.

Please join siblings Doug & Deborah Gilbert Friday/June 26th from 4p-7p for a Celebration of their Dad's life catered by Frank's Barbecue. Share your stories about Dennis, talk crop & cattle prices, and if we need rain, or if we have had too much rain, while enjoying delicious barbecue and delightful friends & family.

Please text or call Deborah Gilbert (917-509-0093) for location details.