Martha M. Fisher Gilbert

Funeral services for Martha M. Fisher Gilbert, 96, Sabetha, will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Popkess Mortuary Chapel in Sabetha. Burial will be in the Sabetha Cemetery.Mrs. Gilbert died Wednesday, April 30, 2008, at Apostolic Christian Home.She was born May 31, 1911, on a farm south of Fairview, the daughter of Joseph T. and Hanna Wheeler Fisher. She moved to Sabetha in 1915, where she attended school and graduated as the valedictorian of her class in May 1929.Mrs. Gilbert worked at Farmers State Bank for 29 years. She was also a homemaker. She later worked at Sabetha Community Hospital and retired in 1980. She was a member of First United Methodist Church and Sapphire Chapter 348 of the Order of Eastern Star, where she was a worthy matron in 1956 and was awarded a 50-year pin in November 1999.She married John W. Gilbert on Nov. 23, 1960, at First United Methodist Church in Sabetha. They shared 18 years of marriage. He died Nov. 26, 1978.Mrs. Gilbert was also preceded in death by a brother, Julian T. “Jack” Fisher and wife Ruth; and two sisters, Mildred and Pauline Fisher.Survivors include a daughter, Linda Sue Gudenkauf, Topeka; a son, John David Gilbert, Las Vegas; three grandchildren, Becky Spriggs and Matt Gudenkauf, both of Lawrence, and Mandy Commons, Pittsburg; and six great-grandchildren.The family will receive friends from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. today at Popkess Mortuary in Sabetha.The family suggests memorials to the Mary Cotton Public Library or a charity of the donor’s choice, sent in care of the funeral home, 823 Virginia St., Sabetha, KS 66534.Online condolences may be sent at www.popkessmortuaries.com.