Obit: Garbisch, Gertrude Lovilla #2 (1900 - 2006)
Contact:  Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Garbisch, Sternitzky, Helm, Plasz, Cain, Opelt, Urey, Wenck, Marshall, Johnson, Wallick, Menne, Miron, Muckelbauer, Green, Cordasco, Jeptson, Greenwood, Howe, Farley, Mesar, Richardson, Bartz, Nowack, Guenther

----Sources: Clark County Press (Neillsville, WI.) July 19, 2006

Garbisch, Gertrude Lovilla (February 20, 1900 - July 14, 2006)

Gertrude Garbisch, age 106, of Granton, died Friday, July 14, 2006 at the Memorial Medical Center in Neillsville, Wis.

Gertrude Lovilla Garbisch was born on February 20, 1900 in Lynn, Wis. the daughter of Ferdinand and Laura (Sternitzky) Helm. She attended school in the Town of Lynn, and then did housekeeping for Dr. Hously, and later cleaned for the Brooks family. Gertrude was united in marriage to Arnold Garbisch on June 2, 1910 in Granton. They farmed in the Romadka area for 12 years until the depression, then to Fall Creek for a short time before returning to Granton in 1933. After Arnold’s death, Gertrude continued living in Granton. On March 1, 2006 she moved from her home in Granton to the Memorial Health and Rehabilitation Center in Neillsville at the age of 106.

She enjoyed doing crafts, crocheting, making quilts, sewing, playing cards, and cooking.

Gertrude was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in Granton. She was a charter member of the Lutheran Ladies Aid, a member of the Happy Homemakers and the kitchen band of Romadka.

She is survived by three children, Lorraine Wenck of Granton; Erlin (Desiree Plasz) Garbisch, of slinger, WI; and Joyce (Richard Cain) Opelt, of Marshfield; daughters-in-law, Marge Garbisch of Granton; and Angela Garbisch, of Neillsville; 18 grandchildren, Judy (Jerry) Urey, Stanley (Patty) Wenck, Ralph Wenck, Willard (Susan) Wenck, Llewellyn Wenck, Janet (Larry) Marshall, David Garbisch, Marilyn (Randy) Johnson, Kirk (Katrina) Garbisch, Elise (Steve) Wallick, Vida Menne, Scott (Beth) Garbisch, Zoe Miron, Lynnette Muckelbauer, Brian (Rhonda) Opelt, Greg Opelt, Wendy (Charles) Green and Kevin Opelt; 31 great-grandchildren, Chris (Carrie) and Terry Urey, Lance (Stacie), Chad Wenck, Amy (Rob) Cordasco, Kirsten Wenck, Marni and Ian Wenck, Tanya Jeptson, Ben (Sandra) and Jim Marshall, Jesse and Naida Johnson, Alyse, Linsay, Tyler Garbisch and Soji (Marin Greenwood) Howe, Michelle Wallick, Michael, Julian and Lukas Menne, Teresa, Nicole and Zachary Garbisch, Erin (Trevor) Farley, Max and Brock Opelt and Jordan Green; step-great-grand-children, Elizabeth and Joseph, Amber Mesar; and 16 great-great-grandchildren, Ryann Urey, Noah, Ava and Maegen Wenck, Alex, Nicole and Sara Cordasco, Connor, Taylor and Callee Jeptson, Taylor and Brandt Marshall, Logan Marshall, Marina Greenwood and Landon Richardson. Step-great-great, Paige.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Arnold; two sons, Leland Garbisch and Marvin Garbisch; three brothers, Carl, Henry and Louis Helm; and four sisters, Bertha (Ben Garbisch, Elda (Fred) Bartz, Ardina (Ray) Nowack and Anita (George) Guenther, and their husbands.

A Memorial Service for Gertrude will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 22, 2006 at the Zion Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in Granton. Pastor John Trewyn will officiate. Music will be provided by Caroline Helm, and the congregation. Interment will be in the Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 until 11 a.m., Saturday at the church.

Honorary Casket bearers are her grandsons.

Memorials may be directed to the Zion Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in Granton or the Neillsville Memorial Health and Rehab Center.

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Gertrude’s family with funeral arrangements.

Stairway to Paradise

Inspired by the beauty

That each day tends to give

We set out on a journey

To find how best to live.

We walk by faith and not by sight

As step-by-step we climb

Upon this stairway, upward,

Towards Heaven’s paradise.

The steps are sometimes difficult

But each day made complete

By treasured moments that we share

And a promised place of peace.

Finally our steps ascend

Beyond the veil of life

Destiny unfolds in glory

In Heaven’s paradise.