Brenda Gilbert

Brenda Lee Zaruba Gilbert was known by many for her loving personality, kind heart, and generosity. She passed away from health complications at the age of 64 at Marshfield Hospital on March 13, 2024.

Brenda was born in Eau Claire on January 29, 1960 to Laverne Charles Zaruba and Ardis Joy Davis Zaruba at Luther Hospital. Brenda and her family moved several times before settling in Stanley, Wisconsin.

It was in Stanley where she met and fell in love with her first husband, Mark Gilbert. Brenda and Mark were wed in October of 1977, and moved shortly after to Neillsville, Wisconsin. Together they had two wonderful children, Jamie and Heather. When the children were grown, Brenda and Mark decided to go their separate ways.

In June of 2002, Brenda had the very good fortune of reuniting with friend Gary Humboldt after not seeing him for many years. They began dating shortly after, fell in love, and became soulmates, they have been together ever since. Alongside Gary, Brenda helped to raise his two sons, her stepsons, Brandon and Dylan Humboldt.

Brenda was an amazing person who loved her family, friends, pets, and life in general. She would not hesitate to help anyone that was in need. She enjoyed hosting loved ones for holidays, cooking, gardening, canning the best spicy dill pickles, and socializing with friends. She was an incredibly hard worker, who took various jobs over the years while also taking care of her family and helping Gary care of his family. For the last nine years Brenda worked at the Christine Center in Willard, Wisconsin, as kitchen manager and cook. Brenda enjoyed her job there and loved her coworkers and the center's guests.

Brenda is preceded in death by her parents Laverne and Ardis, siblings Jeff and Pam, her beloved dog Foxy, and many aunts and uncles. She is survived by her soulmate Gary, son Jamie Gilbert (Patricia Thyrion), daughter Heather Gilbert (Jerome Johnson), stepson Brandon Humboldt (Lacie Humboldt), stepson Dylan Humboldt (Mackenzie Rooney), grandchildren Aubrey Anderson (Jagger Miller), Evan Gilbert (Makendri Hericks), Kegan Pozega, and Kira Johnson, her beloved dog, Daisy, and many nephews and nieces.

Funeral Services for Brenda will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 23, 2024, at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville. Interment will be in the Neillsville City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 23rd at the Gesche Funeral Home. The Funeral Services will also be livestreamed at www.geschefh.com beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 23rd.

Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com. 

Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting Brenda’s family with Funeral arrangements.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.