FREEPORT - On Sept. 1, a former Blanchardville woman perished in a fire that began with a leak in her oxygen tank and spread throughout her apartment in Freeport.
Virginia Gilbertson, 65, was identified by Stephenson County Deputy Coroner Montana Bartell as the person who died in the fire on West Main Street in Freeport. He said Gilbertson was attempting to help another resident get out of one of the second-floor apartments.
Freeport Fire Chief Scott Miller said Gilbertson was found on the floor near her apartment, where the fire damage had been contained, though smoke and water damage was present throughout the four-story apartment building.
Virginia's mother, Helen Gilbertson, was born in Argyle. She married Tilman Gilbertson, living on a farm in Blanchardville before the couple moved to Monroe in 1970. Helen died in 2015.
-Bridget Cooke
Virginia Gilbertson, 65, was identified by Stephenson County Deputy Coroner Montana Bartell as the person who died in the fire on West Main Street in Freeport. He said Gilbertson was attempting to help another resident get out of one of the second-floor apartments.
Freeport Fire Chief Scott Miller said Gilbertson was found on the floor near her apartment, where the fire damage had been contained, though smoke and water damage was present throughout the four-story apartment building.
Virginia's mother, Helen Gilbertson, was born in Argyle. She married Tilman Gilbertson, living on a farm in Blanchardville before the couple moved to Monroe in 1970. Helen died in 2015.
-Bridget Cooke