Sue Gilbertson, 80, born December 5th, 1941, passed away on May 10th, 2022 at Banner University Hospital from complications after a long battle with cancer. She is survived by her daughter Wendy Gilbertson, her sister Nancy (Tom) Maas and her brother Michael (Jane) Jost. Preceded in death were her husband Warren Gilbertson and her son Eric Gilbertson along with her parents James Jost and Margaret Kosek Jost. Sue’s gentle heart and giving nature made all those who knew her feel loved and cared for. She gave with her whole heart. Always up for an adventure, Sue and Wendy explored the world together and made beautiful memories right up until the Lord brought Sue home.
Sue grew up in Duluth, Minnesota. She graduated from St. Scholastica high school in 1960. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 1965. She married Warren on July 15th, 1967 at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center Hospital chapel in Illinois. They lived in Long Lake, Minnesota, where her two children were born, until 1985 when the family moved to Phoenix. Sue spent her summers vacationing at Saxon Harbor, Saxon Wisconsin, where her husband’s family resides. She obtained her Captain’s license for the Great Lakes and served a term as the Coast Guard Auxiliary Crewman out of Saxon Harbor. She enjoyed boating and fishing on Lake Superior and the many fish boils and gatherings at the cottage. The joy and memories of these vacations will be forever cherished by her family and friends.
Sue was a fierce advocate for individuals living with mental illness. She founded MIKID (Mentally Ill Kids In Distress) in 1987 after her son Eric was diagnosed with a severe mental illness. Her organization has provided services to thousands of families across 8 locations in Arizona, with recent expansion in Pueblo, Colorado. Sue volunteered her time, resources and services for over 35 years. She selflessly served on numerous Boards of Directors throughout the valley, leaving an imprint of her heart everywhere she went.
Until her death, she was on the Patients’ Rights Committee at the Arizona State Hospital’s governing body. Her advocacy was instrumental in the early years at the legislature helping to enact much needed services for children in Arizona. Her commitment and accomplishments in the field of mental health will live on for many years to come. She will forever be celebrated for the courageous and inspiring woman she was, and the beautiful legacy she leaves behind.
Additional survivors include her brother-in-law Henry (Norene) Gilbertson, nephews Neil (Brooke) Gilbertson, Nick (Jamie) Gilbertson, Bill Krysta) Maas, Randy (Angela) Maas, Mike (Lisa) Maas, and nieces Holly Sanborn, Leela Willard, and Saura Jost.
Please join us in honoring her life at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Phoenix, Arizona on May 20th, 2022. A viewing will take place at 10:30am, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 11:30am. A reception will follow Mass thereafter. There will be an additional service in Hurley Wisconsin in June 2022, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with burial and reception to follow.
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