Gwen Tripp, 86, passed away Thursday, September 23, 2010, at a local care center of causes incident to age.
Gwen was born November 26, 1923, at Virginia, Idaho to Ettna E. and Lottie Rawlings Gilbert. She grew up on the family farm in Virginia where she learned the value of hard work at a young age. She also learned meticulous homemaking skills which she later implemented in her own home. She attended school in Virginia and Downey. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
On Christmas Day in 1940, she married Reed Tripp at McCammon, Idaho. Together they raised four children at the home they built on South Third in Pocatello. Three other children died in infancy. Reed and Gwen later divorced but remained life-long companions.
Gwen was an excellent seamstress and did beautiful quilting and embroidery work. She enjoyed tube painting, beadwork and other crafts. She took satisfaction in caring for her roses, flower beds, and vegetable garden.
Because she appreciated the influence of worthwhile music, she made that gift available to each of her four children. She supported her grandchildren in their activities and took pride in their accomplishments in the areas of drama, music and sports.
Gwen worked at various occupations. She took pleasure in meeting people and especially enjoyed her position as front desk clerk at the Bannock Hotel.
Gwen is survived by her four children, Sherry (Dale) Knoblich, Pocatello, Marsha (Lynn A.) Buck, Virginia, Allen (Susan) Tripp, Blackfoot, and Ann (Joy) Kinyon, Buhl, Idaho, and their father, Reed. Also surviving are 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Survivors also include one brother, Ervin (Colette) Gilbert, Virginia; and two sisters, Viona Bennett, Garland, Utah, and Norma (Paul) Warth, Pocatello.
Preceding her in death were her parents, three infant children, Daryl D., Gary Wayne and Peggy Gwen, and four sisters, Mavis Kirkman, Ardyth Arbon, Thella Newbold, and Ina Jensen, and two infant brothers.
Services will be held at Horsley’s Marsh Valley Funeral Home, 570 No. Meadowview Drive in Arimo, Idaho at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, September 30, 2010. Family will meet with friends from 11:30 a.m. until time of services.
The family expresses appreciation to the staff at Whispering Pines Care Center for their loving care of Gwen over the past several years.