Doris A. Gilbert

Doris Ann Gilbert, 96, of Hibbing, MN, returned to her Creator from her home on July 15, 2026. She was born in Chisholm on November 14, 1929, to Daniel and Antonia (Koshere) Tolonen. Doris grew up in Balkan Township and graduated from Chisholm High School. She married Howard Douglas Gilbert (Red) in 1949, and together they started a family and raised two children. Sadly, her husband passed away at age 32, and Doris raised her children as a single mother. In 1962, she moved to Hibbing. Doris loved and served Hibbing, working at the hospital for the rest of her career. She was an active supporter of the Wesley United Methodist Church and the Hibbing Chapter of Business and Professional Women. She loved to golf at “Muni,” and played in the women’s league for many years. She was a world traveler and an author, writing two autobiographical books about her childhood and her marriage to Red, entitled “Sugar and Salt” and “Destiny is the Drummer.” She is survived by her children, Connie and Douglas; her siblings, Ronald Tolonen and Stanley Tolonen; four grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Red, and her siblings, Betty, Howard, and Nancy. A memorial service is planned for 11:00 am Saturday, August 15, at the Wesley United Methodist Church in Hibbing.