Robert E. Gilbert

Robert Eugene Gilbert, 95 of Rio, passed away October 6, 2020. He was a resident of the Columbus Health and Rehab Nursing Home in Columbus. He was born  September 3, 1925 in Madison, the son of Lawrence and Dorothy Gilbert. 

He married Frenda Gilbert on June 18, 1949 in the Bonnet Prairie Lutheran Church of Rio. Together they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 2019. Bob and Frenda enjoyed visiting with friends and relatives and researching their genealogies. Family was always very important to them. He joined the army in 1943 and served in Germany and the Philippines and was honorably discharged as a sergeant in 1946. 

He earned a law degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He worked as an attorney for the city of Madison and later as a human resource manager. His career path changed in his fifties when he took over operations of the Johnson family homestead farm. 

Survivors include his daughter Judith (Douglas) Ferguson;  grandchildren Erin (Matt) Gilles, Sally (Geoff) Antoine and Derek (Tyler) Ferguson;  great-grandchildren Dakota, Miles, Dane, Robert, Lilly, Hazel, Otto, Madelyn and Story; sister-in-law Judith (William) Wymer and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by son David Lawrence Gilbert, wife Frenda Avis Gilbert, parents Dorothy and Lawrence Gilbert, great granddaughter Daisy Claire Gilles; sister Marion Natvig and brothers Don and James Gilbert, and sisters-in-law Ruth Louise Johnson and Rhoda Johnson Lorton.

Due to Covid-19, there will be a private burial at Bonnet Prairie Cemetery October 17, 2020. Rev. Julie Krahn of Bonnet Prairie Lutheran Church will officiate. A memorial get-together will be planned at a later date. 

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