Frances "Fran" Gilbride

1931 - 2025

Frances (Fran) Nee: Dulak Gilbride

September 3, 1931 - November 8, 2025

OMRO, WI (FORMERLY OF RACINE, WI) - Our beautiful Mom, Grandma, and Great-Grandma has passed on from this life to her eternal Home with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on November 8, 2025. Although she will be missed immensely, we rejoice in the fact that she is at peace. Frances Margaret Dulak was born to Walter J. and Valentine Dulak (Malak) on September 3, 1931. She was 94 years old.

Growing up on the south side of Milwaukee and being a devout Catholic all her life, Mom attended The Basilica of Saint Josaphat Elementary School, Notre Dame High School, and St. Mary's School of Nursing becoming a Registered Nurse. Prayer was a significant part of her life, especially for her family. She found great comfort in saying the Holy Rosary. Mom was the first surgical nurse at St. Luke's Hospital in Milwaukee, where she met her beloved husband and our Dad, Frank, who preceded her in death. They were married on May 29, 1954, and had sixty-two years together.

While we were growing up in Racine, Mom was a stay-at-home mom not only providing lovingly and extensively for us, but also volunteering as a Girl Scout Leader, Den Mother, CCD teacher, Kindergarten aide, and of course at her Church, Holy Name. When we were older, Mom went back to nursing as a supervisor for sixteen years at Westview Nursing Home taking care of the elderly. After retirement, she gave her time volunteering in Omro at her Church, St. Mary's, as a Eucharistic Minister, and in the local school helping with the kindergarteners, and working at the food pantry until her late eighties. She cooked, sewed, knit, and counted cross stitched a Christmas stocking for each of her twelve grandchildren and then for her great-grandchildren! She was one of the most energetic and talented people we knew. There was nothing she could not do.

Mom will be remembered for her Christian values, impeccable integrity, and her ability to be an unbiased listener, giving advice only when asked. She was always the first one we called to share joyous events, painful news, or just chit-chat. She was a baby whisperer and tender loving caretaker for the residents in the nursing home, often praying and holding their hands while they took their last breath.

Mom is survived by her seven devoted children and their spouses, Mary (Tom) VanLieshout, Patsy (Cliff) Engel, Jim (Kim) Gilbride, Eileen Church, Therese (Tom) Andersen, Tom (Cindy) Gilbride and Paul Gilbride. Surviving her also are her beloved twelve grandchildren, Mike (Lauren) VanLieshout, Joey (Sarah) VanLieshout, Sean Gilbride, Katy (Andrew) Harmeling, Leah (Jordan) Martone, Alyssa (Frank) Morelli, Ryan (Marisa) Andersen, Matt (Alex) Andersen, Tara (John) Darnell, Calli (Nick) Gilmore, Calvin Gilbride and Molly Gilbride. She leaves behind nineteen great-grandchildren with one in the oven. Her brother's wife, Carol also survives Mom along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Frank and her loving brother, Wally, just months before.

A special thank you to Patsy and Cliff Engel for their unending care and love while mom was going through the final phase of her life. Your thoughtfulness and selflessness will always be cherished by your siblings.

We also thank Matt and Sienna from Compassus Hospice and all the staff at Gardens at Fountain Way for their compassionate and loving care.

Please join us to celebrate our Mom's admirable life at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 730 Madison Ave, Omro WI on Saturday, November 22nd.

Visitation with the family will be from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m.. A luncheon will follow the service at 1215 p.m. Private burial will be held.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Jude’s Hospital or the Omro Food pantry are suggested. We will all miss you abundantly, Mom, but will always carry you in our hearts.

NOTE: We know that this date is opening day of hunting. We also know that this day is very special to many of you. Please go hunting. If you say a Hail Mary in the woods, I'm sure Fran will point you to that buck.

"No one is poor who has a Godly Mother." ~Abraham Lincoln

"You made us so rich!"