Colonel Thomas E. Gilbertz, Ret., 76

Colonel Thomas E. Gilbertz, (Ret.), 76, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, passed away on Sunday, May 4, 2014, in Boise, Idaho, with his wife, Miki, by his side.

Tom was born to Hubert and Mary Gilbertz, on December 14, 1937, in Lewiston, Idaho. He graduated from Lewiston High School in 1956, and attended the University of Idaho before joining the Idaho State Highway Department and enlisting in the Idaho National Guard.

Tom’s more than 30 years of military service began as a commissioned Second Lieutenant assigned to Headquarters Battery, 148th Field Artillery Battalion of the Idaho Army National Guard in Lewiston. He went on to be appointed to command positions, and eventually went to work full time with the Idaho National Guard, first as a Battalion Training Officer and then as the Administrative Commander of the Full Time Force of North Idaho’s National Guard Units from Grangeville to Bonners Ferry. In 1980, Tom was assigned to the state headquarters at Gowen Field where he held various positions, including Commanding Officer of the Installation Support Unit at Gown Field. Tom was promoted to full Colonel in 1988, where he served until his retirement in 1992.

Tom married Marilyn Eiting in 1962, and had two daughters, Kim and Jodie. In 2005 he married Miki Wick, who had two sons, Arnie Ray and Dennis.

Following retirement, Tom and Miki enjoyed frequent travel, giving their time to benefit various organizations and spending time with friends and family in both Yuma, Ariz., and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

Tom will be remembered as a loving father and husband; as someone who served his community and loved his friends dearly.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Hubert and Mary; and his brother, Jim Gilbertz, of Spokane, Wash.

He is survived by his wife, Miki, of Coeur d’Alene; daughters: Kim (Alan) Henderson, of Franklin, Tenn., and Jodie (Paul) Smith of Covington, Wash., sons: Arnie Ray (Amy) Wick, of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., and Dennis (Diana) Wick of Pasco, Wash., and eight grandchildren: Molly and Maggie Henderson, Nick and Meagan Smith, Stephanie and Kristin Wick and Amanda and Daniel Wick.

Full military honors, a memorial service and celebration of life, will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 17, at The House of Faith Church, 2502 16th Ave., Lewiston, Idaho. Arrangements are at Summers Funeral Homes, Boise, Idaho.