Velma Jean "Val" Gibson

1940 - 2020

Velma Jean "Val" Gibson
Big Rapids, MI
March 31, 1940 - March 12, 2020
One of the lesser, but ubiquitous, tragdies of the COVID era is the necessity to mourn the koss of our friends or family without the comfort of our friends and family. No matter if the death was COVID related or not, we were forced to say goodbye alone and a sad time became even more difficult. Val Gibson's children are correcting this.
Velma Jean "Val" Gibson, long time area resident, mother of Scott (LeiLei), Christian (Edie), and Michael (Elizabeth) and grandmother of Taylor, Mikaila, and Edward died on March 12, 2020. Val was born March 31, 1940 in Cadullac, the daughter of Gerit and Lois (Weeks) Klifman. Her parents and sister Mary preceeded her in death. Her much-loved brother, Howard Klifman, survives.
Graduating from Cadillac high school in 1958, Val enjoyed her choice of ski-racing over cheerleading, Her skill on and love of the slopes began a tradition that she happily passed on to her sons. A talented athlete, Val won many golf and tennis awards, She served as the coach for the Big Rapids high school women's tennis team for several years.
Val was a self-starting, hard-working woman who owned and operated the Culligan franchise in Big Rapids while raising her sons. Later she found joy in owning and operating the Blue Lake Lodge, an iconic bed and breakfast inn near Mecosta. She also mentored many young women through her involvement in direct sales of candles and jewelry. Val cared deeply for the environment, animals (especially her beloved Goldens) and her community.
Please join Val's children to celebrate the life of this remarkable woman. Saturday, July 31, from 2 to 5 P.M. at the home of her longtime friend Nancy Baldwin, 19196 Foxglove, Big Rapids (township) MI.