Wallace (Wally) E. Garbisch, 87, of Granton, WI, died peacefully at Wells Nature View Assisted Living in Marshfield on February 7, 2025, with his loving wife of over 66 years Patricia (Pat) by his side. Wally was born in Granton on March 25, 1937, the son of Edward and Emma (Retta) Garbisch.
As a young man, Wally served in the National Guard for almost 7 years. During that time, Wally met Pat, the love of his life, on a blind date, and they married on August 30, 1958. They purchased their farm on Granton Road in 1960, right across the road from where Wally's parents Edward and Emma farmed and raised their 3 boys (Wallace, Orville, and Gary).
Wally & Pat farmed for almost 45 years and raised their family on the farm (Cindy, Lori, Cheryl, and Mark). Wally not only milked cows and raised heifers on the farm but also raised pigs, chickens, ducks, bunnies, and even had a horse for a while. He always had a loyal farm dog to herd the other animals and accompany him during his work on the farm, from the barn to the hay fields. In 1960, Wally also began driving bus for the Granton School District. During his 56 years of driving school bus, he drove at least 550,000 miles (accident free!) and drove a few families in the Granton area for 3 generations. Wally was surprised with a school-wide assembly to honor his retirement from bus driving in 2016.
Wally was very active in the Granton community as he volunteered for many things, such as helping with concessions at the ballpark, FFA Alumni events, and Sportsman's Club events. He volunteered coaching over the years, too, mostly as a 4-H softball coach for the Romadka 4-H. For nearly a decade, Wally also coached his family in their participation in the annual Family Feud Softball Tournament at the Granton Ballpark. Wally enjoyed not only playing sports, but also enjoyed watching the Packers, Brewers, Bucks, and Badgers; however, his favorite people to watch play were his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Wally enjoyed taking Pat to polka dances and dinner theater shows with their good friends, including Jerry and Lila Schmitz. At home, Wally enjoyed Pat's cooking, playing cards, shaking dice, and a lot of ice cream. Outdoors, Wally enjoyed his garden and spending time "Up North" at a cabin where he would spend a week each spring and fall fishing, mostly pan-fishing. He even gained the title "Caretaker" at the cabin, as he always had a hard time just relaxing and always had to be fixing something it seemed.
Wally is survived by his loving wife of 66 years Pat; children Cynthia King of La Crosse, Lori Gallagher of Marshfield, and Mark Garbisch (Ruth) of Granton, and son-in-law Tim Steinbach of Granton; grandchildren Nick Sach's of Wisconsin Rapids, Amanda (Jeremy) Tabin of Wausau, Jamie (Dawn) Gallagher of Granton, Matthew (Tera) Steinbach of Stanley, and David (Emily) Steinbach of Granton; and great-grandchildren Nicholas Jr. and Angelique (Nick), Abigail and Kelsey (Jamie & Dawn), Kaynen and Kroix (Matt & Tera), and Kate and Lexi (David & Emily); sister-in-law Sharon Garbisch; and many nieces and nephews.
Wally was preceded in death by his father Edward, mother Emma, brothers Orville and Gary, daughter Cheryl Steinbach, father-in-law Wilford and mother-in-law Etta Martin, sisters-in-law Marian Kraus and Jeannie Garbisch, brothers-in-law Adolph Kraus and Jimmy and Vernal Martin; and many other extended family members and cherished friends.
The funeral service will be held at the United Church of Christ (UCC) in Neillsville at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, February 12, with a burial and reception to follow. Visitation opportunities include 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Tuesday, February 11, at Gesche Funeral Home and from 10:00 to 11:00 AM on Wednesday, February 12, at the United Church of Christ prior to the funeral service, both in Neillsville.
Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.
Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting Wally's family.
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
4:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)
Gesche Funeral Home & Cremation Service
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
10:00 - 11:00 am (Central time)
United Church of Christ
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
11:00 - 11:45 am (Central time)
United Church of Christ
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
12:00 - 12:15 pm (Central time)
Windfall Cemetery
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
12:15 - 12:20 pm (Central time)
Windfall Cemetery
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
1:00 - 2:30 pm (Central time)
United Church of Christ
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