Sharon Rose Gilbert

Sharon Rose Gilbert, 79, of Des Moines, Iowa passed away on Saturday January 24th, 2026, after a long battle with cancer. She was at home with her family, right where she wanted to be.

In 1946, Sharon was born in Madisonville, Kentucky to Sarah Beatrice Daugherty and Raymond Whitmer. After spending her teenage years at the Tupelo Children's Mansion, she followed her siblings to Des Moines and ended up being the one who stayed.

After getting married to Donald in 1974, and having her children, she went back to school to get her GED. Sharon worked for the State of Iowa for 22 years while also selling Avon on the side. After her retirement, she worked part-time for Walgreens and enjoyed her regular customers and her coworkers.

Sharon loved watching all racing, especially NASCAR and going to the Knoxville Nationals. Plants were also one of her favorite things, especially her blooming cactus. She enjoyed playing mobile games on her phone and iPad. Her tomato plants were legendary, and she'd give them to anyone she could. After their retirement, Don and Sharon spent time walking the trails together, enjoying the wildlife, birds, and each other.

Sharon is survived by her husband of 51 years, Donald Gilbert Jr.; her daughter Melissa (Steve) Eggley, her son Dan Gilbert, and step-daughter Annette (Dawnita) Johnson-Reinhardt; her sister Sarah (Randy) Wells, brothers-in-law Kenneth and Tim Gilbert; her nieces Ashley (Rick) Walls (and kids) and Katie Gilbert; and her nephews Jeff Whitmer, Jason Hallauer, and Tim (Jessica) Gilbert.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Carol and Norman Whitmer, her beloved sister Monda Walth, and her mother-in-law Donna Gilbert.

The family would like to thank UnityPoint Hospice, her nurse Dee, and all of the aides who helped Sharon these last months with kindness and compassion.

Visitation will be on Monday, February 2, from 5:00-7:00pm at Iles Grandview Park Chapel, 3211 Hubbell Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50317. Funeral services will be at 1:00pm the following day, Tuesday February 3, also at Iles Grandview Park Chapel. Burial at Laurel Hill Cemetery will immediately follow the services.

Online condolences are welcome at www.ilescares.com. Arrangements by Iles Grandview Park Chapel.