GILGENBACH, Barbara Ann (Ulwelling) 1940-2019

GILGENBACH, ULWELLING, LANDHERR

Posted By: Volunteer73
Date: 11/7/2024 at 16:45:09

Barbara's Obituary

Barbara Ann (Ulwelling) Gilgenbach, 79, of Adams, Minnesota, passed away on Wednesday, September 18, 2019 at the Adams Health Care Center.

Barbara was born on June 30, 1940 in Osage, Iowa, the oldest child to Bernard and Lillian (Landherr) Ulwelling. She grew up on a farm west of Johnsburg.

As a child, she attended Johnsburg Catholic School. During her high school years at Adams High School, she met the love of her life, Kenny (Yogi) Gilgenbach. They dated throughout their junior and senior years of high school and were married on August 23, 1960, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Johnsburg. Barb worked at St. Olaf Hospital for a time and the Pine Room in Adams. They initially settled in Adams and then moved to the family farm outside of Taopi in 1962.

Barb enjoyed being a farm wife and homemaker. She and Kenny welcomed five children; Jane, Mark, Ronald, Theresa and Karen. Barb helped on the farm as needed washing milkers, etc., every morning and loved maintaining her flower gardens and yard. She always enjoyed cooking, canning vegetables and baking homemade bread and rolls. She was known for her cookies and was often asked to bake for others for holidays and special occasions.

Even when diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at a young age, Barb continued to remain as active as possible. She was involved in 4-H as a leader, CCW at Sacred Heart Church, and Farm Bureau, taking part in several commodity baking contests and winning some as well.

Barb and Kenny loved dancing to polka and country western music. They were regulars for many years with a wonderful group of great friends and neighbors at the Rusty Rail. They were often seen dancing in the dining room or living room to the stereo. Barb and Kenny were married nearly 40 years before his death in 2000.

Barb continued to maintain her independence with her health and remained on the farm acreage for 10 years before moving to Adams Assisted Living, and finally to Adams Health Care Center.

During the later years, she continued to work part-time for the Adams Monitor Review, and her favorite day of the week was Thursday as she enjoyed playing cards at the golf course with her friends for Ladies Day.

She continued weekly card games after moving to Adams with her friends coming to visit her to continue the games. Barb enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and attended many sporting and music events, and she loved to keep up with the Minnesota Twins and Vikings.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth; parents, Bernard and Lillian Ulwelling; grandparents; brother, Dennis; and in-laws, Francis and Isabelle Gilgenbach.

Barb is survived by her children: Jane (Alan) Steinkamp of Adams, Mark (Kris) Gilgenbach of Rochester, Ronald (Polly) Gilgenbach of Taopi, Theresa (Mark) Christian of Grand Meadow, and Karen (Shawn) Ruechel of Adams; 14 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; brother: Bill (Sandy) Ulwelling of Hampton, Virginia; sister: Sharon (Joe) Gardner of Dexter; nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 24th at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Swaminatha Pothireddy officiating. Visitation will be at the Adams Funeral Home on Monday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a 4:00 p.m. Rosary and visitation will be at the church on Tuesday for one hour before the service. Interment will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery.

SOURCE: Clasen Jordan Funeral Home, Austin, Minnesota