Montfort – Kay Ellen Gilbertson, age 70, passed away peacefully on Saturday March 14, 2015 at her residence in Wingville Township with her loving and supportive husband by her side after a courageous two year battle with cancer. Kay was born on Oct. 22, 1944 to Jay and Esther (Alexander) Millin. She married Rodney Gilbertson on June 15, 1963 in Fennimore.
Following Graduation from Wauzeka High School in 1963, Kay worked at Accudyne in Janesville for several years until moving to Evansville where she found employment at the Evansville Manor until retiring in 1992. Retirement brought her to her final resting place at the Gilbertson farm outside of Montfort. She found herself going back to ‘work’ babysitting for a niece and then being employed by Lands End where she officially ‘called it quits’ in 2013.
Kay enjoyed going up to the restaurant(s) to have coffee with her many friends. She enjoyed watching her children, grandchildren and children of her nieces and nephews participate in the activities they were involved in growing up. Kay enjoyed playing cards with her ‘card club’ family and always looked to Euchre her opponents. Kay enjoyed what nature would bring to her, from her ‘pets’ on the hill to the birds on her deck, she would always be sure to share with anyone around her. Kay also enjoyed gambling and was most proud of winning one big jackpot. She was ever so thankful to have been able to go on one last trip to Branson to enjoy some down home music and laughs with some very close friends (Angel and Marlene).
Kay is survived by her husband of 51 years Rodney, three children; Cindy Updike of Edgerton, Randy (Daphnie Phillips) Gilbertson of Prairie du Chien, and Andy Gilbertson of Edgerton, four grandchildren; Shawn, Samantha (Karlyle Linden) and Brittney Updike and Kennidy Davis, brother William (Jeannie) Millin of Fennimore, sister Patricia (Gerherdt) Hoffland of Fennimore, brother-in-law Gary Gilbertson of Reedsburg, and sister-in-law Rosalie Kovars of Fennimore.
Kay was preceded in death by her parents, twin brother Ray, and in-laws Leonard and Gilma (Hoffland) Gilbertson. She lost many others along the way but has now joined them as she begins her next journey. They will be the ones to be asked ‘What are you doing good?’ or ‘What are you eating good?’ or Working hard?’
The family would like to thank Grant County Hospice for the loving care and support given to Kay.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday March 19, 2015 at the Castle Rock Lutheran Church in Hickory Grove Township, Grant Co., WI with burial to follow in the church cemetery. A visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 P.M. on Wednesday evening March 18, 2015 at the Larson Family Funeral Home in Fennimore and from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service at the church on Thursday morning.