Lori Jean Gilbert

Lori Jean Landon Gilbert was born November 19, 1959 in Pocatello, Idaho the fifth child and second daughter of Jack D. Landon and Hattie F. Landon. Sandra, Steve, Dave and Mike were already there and Lisa would follow in 1966. Lori came into the world part of a big and loving family and that is the way she lived. Every friend she had at some point became part of her extended family.

A couple years after Lori was born the family moved from Tyhee to Chubbuck. She was fond of telling people that she was Michael Landons brother, and she was raised on Bonanza Street. Having three older brothers, life could be a little rough at times, but Lori could hold her own. She quickly developed a love of sports, especially volleyball and softball. Softball would become a lifelong pursuit and she would play until her knees gave out and she couldnt kneel behind the plate anymore.

After three boys I know that mom was ready for another girl. She was thrilled to have Lori join the family and thus began what Lori referred to as her journey. It was a journey of love, laughter, learning, and support. Years later when mom developed Alzheimer's, Lori referred to it as part of the journey, and she stayed on that journey with mom until the very end. I would have loved to be there for the reunion when she opened her eyes in heaven and mom was waiting there to guide her on her journey into eternity. I want you all to know that mom and I tried as hard as we could to bring positivity and light into Loris life, but sometimes we just could not overcome the dark side of the force brought on by Dave and Mike.

Dad instilled in all of us kids a love of the outdoors and Lori took to it with a passion. Skiing and snow machining in the winter, riding ATVs in the summer and fall, camping, playing softball, or throwing horse shoes, it did not matter. If it was outside and it involved friends or family, she loved it. She was not much of a fisherwoman, but she loved to be there, especially the trips to the West End of Island Park, and the time spent on the pontoon boat with her BFF Terry Lynn. Terry Lynn and Lori were inseparable. Their appetite for fun and ability to liven up any kind of a gathering and turn it into a party was legendary. Every year we would all wait to see what wild, wacky and fun costume they would come up with for Halloween. I spent many weekend nights trying to keep up with the two of them on one dance floor or another. I think it was Terry Lynn who gave Lori her nickname, Pudge. There are probably conflicting stories, but my recollection is that Terry Lynn said she was an Allstar just like Pudge Rodriguez, the Hall of Fame Catcher for the Texas Rangers. The name stuck and from then on, she was "Pudge". Fairy Lynn has been waiting in heaven for Lori and I am sure the love, laughter and stories have been nonstop since she got there.

In 1966 Lisa came along and Lori lost her status as the baby of the family. I think Lori resisted the change a bit. There are rumors of Lisa being dropped on her head and someone making an attempt to hide the body. Lisa said that as they got older that Mom used to make Lori take her along when she would cruise Yellowstone. She would put Lisa on the floor in the back seat and cover her with a blanket. She said Lori made up for it as they got older. Lori would take Lisas kids, Ross and Katie, camping with them every Memorial Day weekend. Lori also won the contest over who was favorite aunt. Sandra would try to bribe the kids with M & Ms, Lori would use dollars.

Lori attended Chubbuck Elementary and Hawthorne Junior High graduating from Highland High School in 1977. Loris employment history is a testament to her desire to be around and serve people. She started working at the Pineridge Cinemas after high school. After a few years there she started a job as a Bar Tender at Five Corners Bar. It is here that Lori developed the friendships and extended family that she would keep for the rest of her life. It is also here that she met the love of her life, Blair Gilbert. Blair and Lori were married August 19, 1991 in Chubbuck, Idaho. Lori welcomed Blairs children, Brian, Michael, and Chase, into the family. She became mom, friend, and mentor loving them and creating a home for them to come to.

After Five Corners she went to work for the Railroad Credit Union, again using her ability and talents to work with and serve the people around her. Her time at the Credit Union increased that extended family and those friendships that seem to weave the fabric of her life. At the time of her passing Lori worked at the DMV as part of the accounting team. She often said this job was the most rewarding and yet the most challenging of all the jobs she ever had. She loved the people she worked with, again increasing her extended family and ever widening circle of friends, and she loved serving the community and helping people especially those who could be dealing with some difficult circumstances. She struggled with the difficulty of working in a political arena and dealing with the fallout of that environment.

Even though Lori had a lot of fun doing the things she did she was a fierce competitor. Dave remembers the Arco tournament that we would go to when we were all playing coed softball and he says that Lori just made it fun although she expected everyone to give their best. He said family gatherings at her house were always something special and it is something he is really going to miss. She was always working to help other people and organizations and she had a big and wonderful heart. She was a loving sister and our time with her has been way too short.

Mike also talks about one of his fondest memories being when Lori played softball. He says it was always fun to be able to go to her games and watch her play, especially when my mother and father would go and watch. They were very proud of her and they loved to go to the games and associate with her and her friends. She had such a great group of friends that were very loving to her and mom and dad. He says he is very grateful for their friendship as it has spilled over into his life with their love and acceptance.

Mike also said it always amazes him how big of a heart that his sister has, as she would accept all into her life. He knows she had an amazing love for all those that were around her and it didn't matter if you were human or animal, she had a great love for all of the creatures of this earth.

I dont know how many of you remember the old Gun Plant overpass and how narrow it was. Barely wide enough for two cars to pass without rubbing mirrors. Mike tells a story about driving over the overpass in the car with Lori when she was 12 years old. He is approaching the overpass and she is yelling at him that she wants ice cream. He is telling her no on the ice cream and she is getting more agitated all the time. About the time they reach the top of the overpass she reaches over and pokes him in the eye with her finger and jumps into the back seat. He is tearing up and cannot see and he knows they are going to die. Luckily for them they made it to the other side. Lori got her ice cream before they went home.

Sandra talks about the girls' trips. The trips Lori and Lisa would make to Salt Lake City and the trips that they would all take to Texas and Louisiana to see Rachael and Brandon. She also talks about the time Lori came to Texas to live with her and Bobbie and work at the Levi Straus Plant in the town where they lived. Sandra said when you traveled with Lori you did not have to look for fun things to do, she just brought the fun with her.

Lori loved to throw horseshoes, and she was pretty good. Her partner, not only in horseshoes but also in the pursuit of a good time or a good cause was "Clod" Claudia Hall. Claudia and Dick, Lori and Blair, and Shirley and Steve were basically the three amigos of couples. Weekends were spent camping. Many evenings and special occasions were celebrated in the garage at Lori and Blairs or up Mink Creek at Steve and Shirleys. After Dick passed away Lori and Clod drew closer. I am pretty sure that Dick was part of the welcoming committee waiting for Lori in heaven. Annual trips to Arizona and the much-anticipated yearly "girls fish derby" at Bailey Creek, were cant miss affairs for the two of them along with all the other, causes, projects, and good times they searched out and participated in.

The most important thing in Loris life was always family. Since mom and dad passed away it has been Lori that has pushed us to stay together, organized the reunions and the get togethers. Did the work that needed to be done to remind us who we are and what we mean to each other. She dearly loved us all, and all of her nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. I am sure that she would be the first one to tell us all, "dont mourn my passing, celebrate my living". As hard as that is, I encourage you all to do exactly that.

I am sure that many of you have noticed that this story is somewhat fragmented, unstructured, and a little messy. To me that is the only way that her story can be told. Her life was a little messy, but not in a bad way. Lori was always stopping to smell the flowers. It was never a straight line for her. There was always another friend to be made, another addition to that extended family, another good cause to be championed or another lost or hurt animal to homed or fed. Make-a-Wish, The John Hall Memorial Golf Tournament, and several Animal Rescue and Support Programs have all greatly benefitted from her commitment and passion to help make things better. Looking back, I think the only plan God had for her was to create as much joy, to make as many friends, and help as many people, causes, and animals as she could before he called her home. I think she accomplished that, and she would smile and say "ya gotta love it when a plan comes together".

Lori passed away Sunday May 2, 2021 in Soda Springs Idaho.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, May 6, 2021 from 6-8 pm at Colonial Chapel, 2005 S. 4th Ave. Pocatello, ID. The family will hold private services.



SURVIVING FAMILY

NAME RELATIONSHIP CITY

Blair Gilbert Husband Pocatello

Brian Gilbert Stepson Pocatello

Michael Gilbert Stepson Pocatello

Chase Gilbert Stepson Pocatello

Sandra (Larry) Hirschi Sister Salt Lake City

Steve (Pam) Landon Brother Pocatello

Dave (Shauna) Landon Brother Idaho Falls

Mike (Stacy) Landon Brother Pocatello

Lisa (Cody) Barfuss Sister Bancroft



PRECEEDED IN DEATH BY:

Jack D. Landon Father

Hattie F. Landon Mother

Viewing

05/06/2021 18:00

20:00:00

LDS Woodville Church

1555 N. 700 E.

Shelley

ID

83274



Private Service





Colonial Chapel

2005 S 4th Ave

Pocatello

Idaho

83201