- Elinor S Gilbert died Thursday, November 17, 2016 in Madrid, Iowa. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 22 at Iles Sundberg-Kirkpatrick Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, November 23 at St. John Lutheran Church, Madrid with burial at DaLander Cemetery.
Elinor was born March 30, 1921 in MadrId, the daughter of J. Edwin Sundberg and Kathryne Hannah (Campbell) Sundberg. She attended the Madrid Community School System, graduating in 1939. She attended. Simpson College on a music scholarship obtaining a Bachelor's degree in music education. While at Simpson Elinor was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority and MuPhi Eplison Music Fraternity.
On March 9, 1945 Elinor married her college sweetheart, Edward H Gilbert. They made their home in Madrid, Iowa, where Elinor taught music in the Madrid Community School System on two different occasions. She also worked for the Sundberg Funeral Home. Elinor played the organ and sang for funerals in her father's Funeral Home (Sundberg's Funeral Home, now Iles Sundberg-Kirkpatrick Funeral Home of Madrid) for over 75 years
Ed and Elinor established Sundberg Floor Covering and Draperies, which they operated until 1978. After retiring from their business the Gilbert's managed the Woodward Golf and Country Club for 4 years. Later Elinor worked in the activity department of the Madrid Home.
During their retirement years Ed and Elinor traveled frequently in their motor home, often attending Elderhostels in various parts of the United States where they indulged in their life long love of learning.
St John's Lutheran Church of Madrid, Iowa was Elinor's life long church home, where she lead the church choir for over 30 years. She also played the organ for the church on many occasions and was active in the church's Rachael Circle. Music has always played a major part in Elinor's life, giving her endless hours of enjoyment.
Elinor was also very active in the Madrid, Iowa community, serving as a Blue Bird, Camp Fire and Horizon Club leader for her daughters. She served as secretary to the Jensen Trust Fund for many years and was a member of the advisory board of the Iowa Lutheran Home, now known as the Madrid Home. She served for two years as the first woman president of the Iowa Floor Covering Club. She was a long time member of the Madrid chapter of Questers International and also belonged to Chapter ID of P.E.O.
In the summer of 2015 the Madrid Home dedicated their newly remodeled lobby as the "Elinor S Gilbert Music Lobby" in honor of her years of service to the Madrid Home and to the entire community of Madrid, Iowa.
Elinor was preceded in death by her parents, her brother A. Merrill Sundberg, her beloved husband Ed, and a great grand daughter Arrow Sue, and beloved family friend Ted Wesenberg. Elinor is survived by her three children, Kathleen (William) Warren, Caroline Woollums, and C. Criss Gilbert, 7 grandchildren and 12 great grand children.
Memorials may be directed to the A.C.T.S. (Assistance with Compassion to Seniors) fund of the Madrid Home, or to St John Lutheran Church of Madrid.
ARRANGEMENTS BY ILES ~ SUNDBERG/KIRKPATRICK CHAPEL and they published this photo and this obituary.
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- Elinor S. Sundberg Gilbert
BIRTH 30 Mar 1921
Madrid, Boone County, Iowa, USA
DEATH 17 Nov 2016 (aged 95)
Madrid, Boone County, Iowa, USA
BURIAL Dalander Cemetery
Madrid, Boone County, Iowa, USA
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1921 - 2016 (95 years)
