Barbara Gaulke
Barbara Maybell (Ladd) Gaulke, age 90, of Colby, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, at Colby Senior Care, under the tender care of St. Croix Hospice.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, at the Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford. Rev. James Groleau will preside. A visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Interment will be at Lakeside Cemetery in Cumberland.
Barbara was born on Sept. 16, 1933, in Cumberland, the daughter of William and Katie (Grimson) Ladd Sr. Barbara grew up in a small shack and contributed to chores and other tasks that helped benefit her family. She often told stories of her many adventures and exciting meetings with animals of the woods.
Barbara attended Cumberland High School and it was at that time her love for education, especially reading and learning, was instilled. Barbara worked hard to achieve her dream of receiving her college education. She attended UW-River Falls, Kansas State University, UW-Eau Claire and UW-Superior, earning her degrees in elementary education, a master’s in reading education and a master’s in administration.
Barbara resided in Colby for over 65 years and was a member of Zion Lutheran Church throughout that time. Barbara’s career in education spanned 42 years with stops in the Owen-Withee district and many years as the principal of Stratford Elementary. Barbara saw reading as the most important step for a child’s learning process and started an award-winning reading education model at Stratford Elementary. She was also honored as Wisconsin State Principal of the Year.
Barbara (mom, grandmother and greatgrandmother) will always be remembered for her undying love of her family and her love of nature, birds and animals, especially her dogs. She was famous for her neighborhood Halloween parties and her jokes and pranks. She made it very clear that reading books to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren was priority number one. Barbara also was an avid gardener and took care of many plants and trees, especially her beloved catalpa trees. Barbara is survived by her two sons: Greg Gaulke of River Falls and Glenn (Jane) Gaulke of Belmont; five grandchildren: Heidi (Clint) Riese of River Falls, Kayla (Derrek) Pedersen of New Richmond, Erin (Justin) Leonard of Mineral Point, Elliott (Haley) Gaulke of Pine Island, Minn., and Eden (Anthony) Statz of Black Earth; ten great-grandchildren: Owen Leonard, Stella Leonard, Jack Leonard, Cassius Statz, Roman Statz, Quinn Gaulke, Lexi Gaulke, Colt Pedersen, Clara Pedersen and Jordy Riese. She is also survived by her brother, Jim Ladd of Cumberland, as well as her longtime loving friend, Gerald Thompson.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, William Ladd Jr.; and her sister, Shirley Forest; as well as nephews: Larry Ladd, Ronny Ladd and Kelly Forest.
The family of Barbara would like to thank Caroline Pietrowski for all her visits, as well as the Colby Senior Care staff.
In memory of Mom, please read or donate a book to a child, given with a hug.
Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com.
Paid obituary 147345
