Grace Marie Johnson Gilbert, age 87, Gilbert, Arizona, formerly of Fort Madison, passed away surrounded by family January 11, 2018 in Mesa, Arizona, 19 days short of her 88th birthday.

Grace was born January 30, 1930 in Van Buren County to Clyde W. Johnson and Edna Mae Kreider. She grew up in Van Buren County attending a one-room schoolhouse in Douds, Iowa. She graduated Selma High School in 1947 in a class of 6 people.

After graduation, she worked for S.S. Kresge in Ottumwa. In 1947 she moved to Fort Madison to work at Sheaffer Pen Co. before going to Northwestern Bell where she worked nights as a telephone operator and a scheduling clerk. She proudly retired after over 32 years of service in 1982.

In Fort Madison, she married the love of her life Hazen W. Gilbert on February 28, 1951. Hazen and Grace started their family in 1954 with the birth of their son, Michael W. Gilbert, expanding their family in 1964 with the birth of their daughter, Tonya M. (Gilbert) Schultz. Other family members included multiple dogs over the years.

Hazen and Grace relocated to Arizona in 1988. After relocating, Grace worked as a personal assistant in a law firm.

Grace was a member of Communication Workers of America and Telephone Pioneers.

She enjoyed spending time with her loving family, friends, pets, working on puzzles, and volunteering with the Ugly Quilt Group in Mesa, AZ making sleeping bags for the homeless. She especially looked forward to her daily visits from her grand-dogs! Grace was also adopted by a grand-cat during his retirement after he found her dog door and made himself at home in her recliner, who brightened her days and helped to keep her warm.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Irene Kuhn (Spokane, WA) an infant brother and sister, and her loving husband of 51 years in 2002.

Surviving are son Michael Gilbert (Fort Madison), daughter and son-in-law Tonya and Jeff Schultz (Gilbert, AZ), grandson, Correy Schultz (Colorado Springs, CO), granddaughter, Kyndal Schultz (Gilbert, AZ), and sister Margaret Peak (Cassville, MO), as well as nieces and nephews.

Per her request she was cremated. Family will be holding a Celebration of Life Memorial Service at a later date in Gilbert, Arizona and in Fort Madison.