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Wanda Garbarski Obituary
Wanda Kate Garbarski, 80, of Eau Claire died unexpectedly on Friday Oct. 19, 2012 at the Rutledge Assisted Living Home in Chippewa Falls.
Wanda was born on Dec. 18, 1931 in Mulberry, Ark., to Lucy (Whittaker) Neal and Edgar Neal. They lived in Chicago until Edgar's death. She later moved with her mother to Cornell, where she attended school. Wanda was a talented drummer for the school band.
Wanda married Robert Shafer in 1952 in Cornell. During their early years they lived on several Air Force bases. In 1954, while Robert was stationed at Eglin Air Force base in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., their only child Brenda Lu Shafer was born. Robert and Wanda later divorced.
Wanda worked for several years for the A&P grocery in Chippewa Falls and moved to Hayward to continue to work with them. While in Hayward she met Edward Garbarski and they married shortly thereafter. Wanda and Edward lived on Clear Lake in Round Lake Township, where Wanda enjoyed taking care of the many homes around the lake when the owners were gone.
She loved to snowshoe and cross country skiing. Wanda always had her camera ready while watching the loons and other animals on the lake. Wanda was an expert seamstress, knitter and craftsman. If there was a creative craft to complete, Wanda was the person to call.
Wanda volunteered for Sawyer County Hospice, was the American Red Cross bloodmobile chairman and led the Hayward Ladies of the Moose "Toys for Tots" program each Christmas. Wanda was also famous for her "drop" cheesecake that she made for all special occasions.
Wanda is survived by: her daughter Brenda Balsiger of Chippewa Falls; granddaughter Sara (Jason) Towne of Rice Lake; great grandson Everett Towne; two brothers Clarence (Karen) Berg of Cornell and Gordon (Marge) Berg of New Richmond; and many nieces and nephews.
Wanda was preceded in death by: her parents; stepfather Millard Berg; a niece, Pam Berg; and husbands Edward, who died on Jan. 6, 2012, and Robert Shafer, who died on Aug. 1, 2012.
A visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 25 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls. Committal service will take place at 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 26 at the Northern Wisconsin Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Spooner.
Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services is serving the family.
Visit pedersonvolker.com to express condolences online.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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