Fourth Generation

89. Gilbert John Edward "Gib" VON HADEN was born on 7 November 1908 in Monroe County, WI.¹⁶ He appeared in the census in 1910 in Clifton Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁴ He appeared in the census in 1930 in Clifton Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁸ Gib died in 1963 at the age of 55.¹⁵

Gilbert John Edward "Gib" VON HADEN and Lorena SCHIRMER were married on 12 January 1936 in Mauston, Juneau County, WI.⁵³ Lorena SCHIRMER was born on 11 July 1912 in Germantown Township, Juneau County, WI.⁵³ She died on 28 March 2008 at the age of 95 in Whitehall, Trempealeau County, WI.⁵³

Obituary Notes: "Lorena Malinda Von Haden (nee Schirmer) of Blair passed away peacefully at 95 years, eight months, 16 days of age on March 28, 2008.

The fourth of 10 children, four boys and six girls, Lorena was born on July 11, 1912, to Frederick Henry Schirmer and Amanda Charlotte (nee Johnson) in Germantown Township, New Lisbon, Wis. Baptized and confirmed, she was always faithful to the Lord Jesus.

As a little girl, Lorena’s favorites were the dolls given to her by her father, the horses she rode, and the journey to church in their sleigh or wagon. She was a graduate of the Germantown School, where she excelled in the subject of mathematics which became a lifetime interest. From her late teens until marriage, she worked as a live-in nanny for a New Lisbon family.

On Jan. 12, 1936, Lorena was married to Gilbert “Gib” John Edward Von Haden, the one and only love of her life, by Pastor Albert A. Winter at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mauston, Wis. Ten days later, the couple purchased his parents’ farm in Clifton Township, which they operated together. To this happy union, two sons were born, Frederick Louis and Robert Leroy.

In 1946, when Gilbert accepted the field man position with Preston Cooperative Creamery in Blair, Lorena was ready to move from the Von Haden farm. Known for honesty, reliability and accuracy, she was a valued employee at Bluske’s Grocery Store for 19 years.

She supported her community as a Trempealeau County Easter Seal Society (Blair Division) chair, Cub Scout leader, Sunnyside 4-H Club member, Blair Music Mothers member, and Blair Egg (later, Cheese) Festival Parade float decorator. As a member of Zion Lutheran Church she partook in Ladies Aid, Peace Circle and served many years as a Sunday school teacher. Within the couple’s card club, valued friendships were nurtured.

Since family was their greatest treasure, Lorena and Gilbert drove to New Lisbon for visits with her parents nearly every Sunday afternoon, and their extended families were visited during trips around the United States. She continued their passion for travel after Gib’s sudden death in 1963 whether in her red sports car, by bus, train or plane!

Lorena returned to New Lisbon in 1967 to help provide care for her parents until their passing. She was employed with Young Brothers Inc., and then Kimball’s Grocery Store until a tragic bicycle accident in 1976. Even given her steadfast desire to return to independent living, her recovery took over six years.

Living in the Greenbriar Apartments suited Lorena when she returned to reside in Blair in 1982. She was active in the community, including fundraising for Trempealeau County Health Center, rug design and their construction, providing sensory stimulation and visits for many Blair Care Center residents, participating in church organizations, and delivering mail to shut-ins and her regularly visited friends. Recognition awards were conferred on her for generous service.

Her creative passions included hand-sewn clown baby rattles, crocheted afghans for each of her grandchildren and Wedding Dolls — donned with hat, purse and shoes — for little girls near and far. Family, friends and her “Birthday Club” were treated to her specialties of baked rice custard, banana cream pie and old-fashioned Seafoam Candy.

Lorena moved to the Blair Care Center in 2003, where she enjoyed varied activities: music classes, bingo games, field trips, special parties and the laughter. She loved it all!

Lorena was preceded in passing by her husband; stillborn son, Richard; sisters, Frances Schirmer, Amy Schneider, Millie Snyder-Ramsey; and brothers, Ernie I, George and Elmer.

Lorena’s survivors include son, Fred (Barbara) Von Haden of Montgomery, Texas; grandson, Joel of rural Trempealeau, Wis., with great-grandchildren Nicholas, Travis and Alicia; granddaughter, Lorrie Iqbal of Montgomery, with great-grandchildren, Mark James and Andrea; son, Bob (Penny) Von Haden of Eau Claire, Wis.; grandsons, R. Blake and Bradley of Crystal, Minn.; granddaughter, Tamara (Timothy Betts) of rural Strum, Wis., with great-grandchildren, William, Haden, and twins Adelaide and Ellaina; sisters, Dorothy Wunsch of Puyallup, Wash., and Helen (Fred Becker) of Wisconsin Dells, Wis.; brother, Ernie II (June) Schirmer of Elroy, Wis.; and many nieces; nephews; and friends.

The celebration of Lorena’s life will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the Blair Zion Lutheran Church. Visitations are from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Jack Funeral Home and one hour prior to the church service on Wednesday. Lorena will be laid to rest in Zion Cemetery. Her lifetime of friendships was broken only by the toll of time.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be directed to either the Grandview Care Center or Zion Lutheran Church."

Gilbert John Edward "Gib" VON HADEN and Lorena SCHIRMER had the following children: