Martha Sue Gilbert, age 80, of Blair, died on Sunday, January 15, 2017 in the Gundersen Tri-County Care Center in Whitehall after a four year bout with Lewy Body Dementia.

Martha was born December 15, 1936 in Dixon, IL to J. Mason and Edith (Sheely) Hopkins. She attended Highland School, a one room school house, for her elementary education. Martha graduated from the Polo High School in Polo, IL in 1954 and then entered the Rockford Memorial Hospital School of Nursing to fulfill her childhood dream of becoming a nurse. She worked in her father's dairy, Fairview Farm Dairy, to earn money to pay her tuition to nurse's training.

During her nursing career, Martha worked as a surgical nurse, obstetrical nurse and as a supervisor at an institution for mentally handicapped. Martha retired after 20 plus years as a nurse at the Grand View Care Center in Blair.

Martha married Roger Gilbert in Dixon, IL on June 20, 1958. She was always proud that she had supported him during his four years of medical school. The Gilbert's also did some farming and Martha was active in the operation of the farm and care of the animals.

During their 38 years in Blair, Martha was in charge of the Blair Food Pantry, coordinator of the Red Cross Blood Drives and active in many other civic and church activities. Martha was an avid collector of dairy related items such as ice cream scoops, milk bottles and baby bottles.

Martha is survived by her husband of 58 years, Dr. K. Roger Gilbert of Blair; a son, Father John M. Gilbert of Boyd; three daughters, Julie Ann (Daniel) Rider of Chippewa Falls, Lynn Marie Erdman of Chippewa Falls and Mary Elizabeth (Charles) Golden of Hudson; six grandsons, two granddaughters, two sisters, Sharon (Fred) Altman of Pekin, IL and Linda (Steve) Parrett of Stone Mountain, GA; two brothers, James (Nancy) Hopkins of Oregon, IL and Lyle (Sheryl) Hopkins of Polo, IL.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. in Blair Lutheran Church West with burial in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery both in Blair. Pastor John Ashland will officiate.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 20, 2017 from 4-7 p.m. in the Blair Lutheran Church West in Blair where a prayer service will be held at 7:00 p.m.

Friends may also call one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Memorials in Martha's honor may be directed to the Blair Food Pantry, Gundersen Tri-County Care Center Activities Department or the Tri-County Hospital Foundation.

Martha's family would like to thank the staff at the Gundersen Tri-County Care Center for their wonderful care.

The Jack Funeral Home in Blair is assisting the family with arrangements.