Gilbert Lee Hogenson greeted the Lord on February 26, 2020 at the age of 91. Gilbert, a lifelong resident of Kirksville, was married to Olga Marie (Bobbi Biondi) Hogenson for 67 years.
Gilbert was returning from two years of Army military service in Hawaii and on the West Coast when he and Bobbi met as students at Northeast State Teachers College in the early fifties and that was the beginning of a life together full of love and good times. Hard work was nothing new to Gilbert. His first job was at nine years old and he never stopped working until his retirement from Missouri Power & Light (Ameren Union Electric) after 35 years.
His interests were many—fishing, hunting, playing pool, dancing and card-playing. A Life Master Bridge player, he was the director of the Kirksville Duplicate Bridge Club for many years. His other club affiliations were the Shrine Club and the Moose Club. He was a lifelong member of the First Christian Church.
Gilbert was predeceased by his parents J.L. and Daisy Hogenson as well as his brother Robert Hogenson.
He is survived by his daughters Barbara Hogenson (Jeffrey Couchman) and Susan Hogenson Grissom (Dan Grissom), both of whom remember well his devotion and willingness to encourage their interests in bicycling, selling firecrackers and traveling. He was very proud of his grandchildren Allison Grissom Ferguson (Tom Ferguson), Emily Grissom Katz (Austin Katz) and Ella Couchman, and particularly delighted by his great-grandson Samuel Ferguson. He loved his siblings Donald Hogenson (Betty Howes) and Kathy Hogenson Young and their families. A loving uncle to his various nieces and nephews (Pamela, Paula, Jan, Lynn, Stevie, Chris and Mike), a friend to many and all, he will be greatly missed. His pool partners in Mission, Texas, and in Kirksville will treasure him for his love of the game. All of his family and friends are rejoicing in the gift of his wonderful 91 years and the promise we will meet him again.
His memorial will be at the First Christian Church, 100 N. High Street, Kirksville, MO, Monday, March 2, beginning with a visitation at 10:00am and service at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First Christian Church of Kirksville or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.