Kathleen Gimbal

EAST MOLINE — Kathleen Ann Gimbal, 88, passed away peacefully from the arms of her loving family into the waiting arms of her Lord on Wednesday, March 18, 2009, at Parkview Terrace in East Moline.

Kathleen was born July 2, 1920, in LaSalle to Julius and Ruth (Gronmark) Olsen. She was the sister to Robert (Betty) Olsen of Mundelein and Jeanette, deceased.

She graduated from LaSalle Peru High School, LP Junior College and Pestalozzi Froebel Teachers College in Chicago. She went on to teach students of her love of English for 38 years in various country schools until her retirement in 1985 from Tiskilwa Grade School.
She met her soulmate and best friend, Max Gimbal, and they married on Nov. 13, 1942, in Granville and have been inseparable for the past 66 years. Together they farmed in Tiskilwa and started their family there. Kay was the nurturing mother to two daughters, Janice Kay (Bill) Pearson of Moline and Carole Ann Wirges of Rock Island.

Kathleen played an awesome role in raising her grandchildren and she will be sadly missed by Lori Frick and Terri (Allan) Beaber of Princeton, Crystal (Joshua) Lee of Moline and Brian (Jessica) Pearson of Bettendorf, Iowa. She was blessed with five great-grandchildren, Noel and Cole Pearson, and Devlin, Lanie and Bergan Lee.

Kathleen loved her Lord and was very active in her church. She was a Sunday school teacher, sang duets with Max and her mother and daughter in church, and sang weekly in the church choir. She attended Explorers Bible Study and belonged to “The Golden Agers” at the Princeton Bible Church where she was a member. She was also a member of the Retired Teachers Association.

Kay also loved to bake and prepare large family dinners. She loved her colorful flower gardens, fishing with Max, crocheting beautiful afghans and crossword puzzles. But her main love was her family.

Services will be at 11 a.m. today, Saturday, at the Norberg Memorial Home, Princeton, with Pastor Ken Wilson officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery, Princeton. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services. A luncheon will follow at the Princeton Bible Church.

Memorials may be directed to the Princeton Christian Academy.