Barbara J. Gort

On this day, 2-5-2025, Barb answered the call of “Come Barb, my good and faithful child.” She reached for the hand to hold, that had held hers all her life.

She was born 6-4-1949, in Eau Claire, to parents Robert and Virginia Gort. The third of four girls, she was the explorer of Mt Tom and the outdoor girl of their yearly vacation to the family cottage up north. Having polio at the age of two certainly changed her life, but she tried to experience life growing up as normally as possible with the help of her family and friends.

She was gifted with a beautiful singing voice, and when in college, traveled to Europe to sing with the choir in some of the oldest churches and cathedrals. How beautiful it must have sounded with the voices echoing off the ancient walls.

She was a member of Peace Lutheran Church and sang in their choir for decades. She was also active being a part of counsels and groups.

Her passion was to be a teacher and taught for 33 years in the Menomonie School District at the 3rd and 4th grade levels. She told her kids the first day of every year, that they should ask questions, “She may not know the answer, but they will learn together”. She was able to travel to Australia as an exchange in teaching but also experience a different way of life. While teaching she was a union negotiator helping her teachers have good benefits, and wages to provide for their families. It was something she could share with her dad who had also done that with his union.

After retiring, she continued to help in the community.

*Volunteered at the Dunn County Humane Society and started the yearly “golf outing” to raise money. The first year they raised $500 and she was so excited. Now, it is raising thousands of dollars. She had her own little section called The Furry Wall of Fame, where people could sponsor animals available for adoption, or highlight their own pet. All money raised from that also added to the money raised for the day.

*Spearheaded the Menomonie Off Leash Dog Park. “Yard by yard, it is hard. Inch by inch it is a cinch” was printed on shirts raising money for the fencing. The only thing she asked was to let her dog Chance have the number 1 park license, and that they lead the people in after the ribbon cutting.

*She was always available to groom dogs from the Humane Society to make them feel good and look better to hopefully help them find their forever home faster. She always had a little ceremony with them before they left her grooming room. There were a few dogs that came in where the biggest question was, which end am I looking at? She also groomed other dogs at a reduced rate. She said if they were ok with everyone getting a ‘cocker spaniel cut’ she was happy to help.

Can you tell she loved dogs? She had three generations of Cocker Spaniels that she raised. She showed them at AKC, and each won a ribbon. She also took in another Cocker after it was having health issues. She also learned through her rescue boy Chance, that love is love, even if not a Cocker Spaniel. Every dog taught her something about life. Many dogs came through her doors, played in her pond, ran in her yard and sometimes left gifts on her floors. Even a litter of puppies was born in her closet by a foster dog!

She lived in the Cities for several years, and there she met a wonderful group of people at an even more wonderful church. She had found her niche there and was planning on moving back and spending her life with them all. Even when that could not be, these new people, along with her family and friends from anywhere she had traveled, surrounded her with cards, flowers, gifts, prayers and visits. Surrounded by love here, she is still surrounded by love now and forever.

Barb leaves behind her sisters, Judy George, Mary (David) Glassbrenner, and Monica (Fritz) Richardson; nieces, Jeni (Jake) Conklin, and Dawn (Craig) Dutter; Nephews, Mike (Vickie) Glassbrenner, Pete (Jenny) Glassbrenner and Steve (Cinnamon) Glassbrenner; and many great nieces and nephews. Also a legion of friends that remained in her life from childhood to present, and so many others that joined her in life over the years. She stays in the heart of her puppy, Ilo.

Waiting for her are her parents, Robert and Virginia; and her beloved pups, Lucky, Kate, Kelly, Genesis, Nutmeg and Chance, besides the unknown number of foster dogs.

Also, a special group of people who named themselves “The Thumpers”, that gathered together to play cards and share life for over 50 years. Many of them are waiting for her to again join them at the table.

Thank you to the Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, Glenwood City and Bloomer. Also, Mayo Hospice at Dove West. Everyone who entered her room was an angel and she thanked them, and told them how important they were, no matter their title or position.

A celebration of life will be planned at a later date at Living Table Church Minneapolis, when it will be the best time for all to gather and share remembrances of a life well lived.

Chippewa Valley Cremation Services – Celebration of Life Center in Altoona is serving Barb’s family.

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