Barbara "Barb" A. Gilles

Barbara A. (Barb) Gilles, 85, of La Crosse, passed away at the Riverside Transitional Care Center in La Crosse WI on July 6, 2021.  She was born June 16, 1936 to Grover and Florence Frazier in Hudson Wisconsin.  She married Don Gilles November 27, 1965 at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Hudson.  Subsequently, they move to La Crosse, Don's hometown and a city that she grew to love.  For over 55 years they had a wonderful and loving life together and had two sons.

Barb always loved children and showed this love when her sons were toddlers and growing up.  She was always very protective of them and never wanted anything to happen to them.  Don traveled a lot when the boys were growing up so many times, she was the sole provider to assure they got to their practices, games, concerts, events, and on time.

Her love for children didn't stop with her own children but after they grew up, she volunteered as a State Protected Custody Foster Care mother. During that 10-year period, she protected and cared for over 50 children who were mostly toddlers.

After Don retired, they wintered in Florida for many years.  In the summer they spent much time at their park model at the Pettibone RV Resort in La Crosse.  It was a great place for the family to gather for cookouts and maybe a beer or two.  She and Don were a very close couple and where one was the other one would also be right there.

Barbara is survived by her loving husband, Don; two sons, Scott and Greg (Caroline); six grandchildren: Allison, Ben, Lydia, Matt, Claire, Cecilia; one sister; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 pm on July 22, 2021 at the First Presbyterian Church, 233 West Avenue South, La Crosse, WI.  Paster Taylor Haley will officiate and a private family burial will be at a later date.   A visitation will be held at the church from 12:30 pm until the time of service.  To leave online condolences, please visit www.schumacher-kish.com .

In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials be given to the First Presbyterian Church in La Crosse or to the Coulee Region Humane Society.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Riverside Transitional Care Center for the great professional and compassionate care given to Barbara during her residency there and the Gundersen Hospice Program for her end-of-life journey