Ila Fay (Gillberg) Grant, 92, passed away of natural causes on April 30, 2020 in Salina. Mrs. Grant was born on the family farm near Bridgeport, Kansas, and was one of six children born to parents Arnold and Miloh Gillberg, descendants of pioneering settlers in the Smoky Hill River Valley.

She is survived by her husband, Arnold Grant; sons, Kevin and Kim; daughter, Jane Grant Kaufman; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

She was preceded by her brother, Dwight Gillberg; sisters, Arnetta, Ileta and Fern; as well as Arnold Edwin, an infant brother.

She graduated as one of nine seniors from Assaria High School in 1945 and attended Kansas Wesleyan University, where she was a graduate of the Cadet Corps nursing class of Asbury Hospital. She completed a residency in St. Louis, Missouri, before returning to Salina to begin a long career in nursing at Asbury, now Salina Regional Health Center, until retirement. In 1948, she met and married Arnold Grant in Salina, and the couple enjoyed a long life together. They celebrated their 50th anniversary with family and friends from across the Midwest in 1998 at Trinity United Methodist Church. She continued to volunteer at the hospital for several years and took up painting in retirement, working primarily in oils and acrylics and creating many works enjoyed by the family over the years. She loved family and appreciated being with small children. Mrs. Grant was a devout lifelong Methodist and member of University United Methodist and Trinity United Methodist Church.

Graveside services for family members will be held at the family cemetery near Bridgeport, Kansas. Memorials can be made to Kansas Wesleyan University for the nursing building, care of Ryan Mortuary, Salina.

Online condolences at www. ryanmortuary.com