Jeanne Marie Gilbert

Jeanne Marie Gilbert passed away Wednesday, September 10, 2014, at ManorCare Health Services in Aberdeen, seven days short of her 58th birthday, after fighting a 13-year battle with Multiple Sclerosis.

Her funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, September 15, 2014, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1429 North Dakota St., Aberdeen, with Pastor Tim Sersen officiating. Burial will take place at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery in Aberdeen.

Schriver's Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Friends may sign her online guestbook at schriversmemorial.com.

Visitation will be 4-5 p.m., Sunday, at the mortuary, with a public prayer service at 5:00 p.m. Visitation continues one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.

The family prefers memorials to: The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 200 South 12th Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, The American Diabetes Association, 1701 North Beauregard St., Alexandria, VA, 22311, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1429 North Dakota St, Aberdeen, SD 57401 or the charity of the donor's choice.

Jeanne Marie Witlock was born on September 17,1956, to John and Anne (Mueller) Witlock in Mobridge, SD, and was the youngest of six children. Jeanne attended all twelve years of school in Java, SD, and throughout that time was involved in cheerleading, class plays, Girls State, student council, chorus, and was also chosen Homecoming Queen. Following graduation in 1974, she attended St. Mary's School of Nursing in Pierre, SD, and earned her LPN Nursing Degree in 1975.

Jeanne held a 30 year career in the medical field, working from 1975 through 1978 at St. John's Hospital in Huron, SD, from 1978 through 1980 at both Bethesda Nursing Home of Aberdeen and at James Valley Nursing Home in Redfield, SD and then working with Home Health for one year before becoming employed at Internal Medicine Associates in Aberdeen from 1984 through 2005.

Jeanne was united in marriage to Arden Gilbert in Java, SD, on June 17, 1978, and to this union, Nicole Jean Gilbert was born.

Jeanne was an active member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Aberdeen. She was also involved with Christian Women Altar Guild, Aberdeen Aqua Addicts, and enjoyed NSU Athletics.

Jeanne liked to travel, bake and decorate for holidays, and work in her garden. Her greatest joy, however, was family, especially her grandchildren, Emma and Henry.

Blessed to have shared Jeanne's life are her husband of 36 years, Arden Gilbert of Aberdeen; daughter, Nicole (Steve) Barnett of Pierre, SD; grandchildren: Emma and Henry Barnett of Pierre, SD; mother, Anne Witlock, of Java, SD; brothers: David (Viv) Witlock of Selby, SD and Doug (Evie) Witlock of Aberdeen; sisters: Becky Witlock of Java, SD, Deb Witlock of Pierre, SD and Denise (Rollie) Anderson of Kennebec, SD; seven nieces; and five nephews.

Jeanne's father, John Witlock, and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Alan and Alberta Gilbert, preceded her in death.

Pallbearers will be Jeanne's nephews: Scott Witlock, Eric Witlock, Jared Anderson, Eric Lantis, Jason Henrich, and Dale Lebeda.