Barbara Gamble McEachron

Barbara Gamble McEachron passed away peacefully with her family around her on May 10, 2024. Barbara is survived by her husband, Andrew; children, Scott (Debbie) McEachron, Sandra Hintz and Catharine Meitus; grandchildren, Chris (Cady), Laura (Chris), Rachel (Tom), Mara (Bill), Max (Monica), Alex (Megan), Caroline (Seth), Nic (Mara), William, Timothy, and Meghan; great-grandchildren, Lilly, Caleb, Brody, Kelsi, Brooke, Kennedy, Cameron, Grace, Ellie, Drew, and Charlie. There was nothing more important to Barbara than her family!

Barbara was born in Milwaukee, July 16, 1929, daughter of Willliam Walace and Marion Stone Gamble. She grew up with her two brothers (Bill and Peter) in White Lake. This is where she grew to love the outdoors and dogs. There wasn’t much that Barbara couldn’t do. She was always up for a challenge and willing to try new things. Barbara graduated with a bachelors degree from Beloit College in 1951. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity and homecoming queen. She worked in the audit department for Employers Mutual in Wausau, until her marriage.

She spent her summers in Sayner, with her grandparents and that is where she met the love of her life, Andy. Barbara and Andy spent 69 amazing years together. They traveled to many different places in the world, but their favorite place to spend time with their family was at their homes on Pokegama and Tomahawk lakes in the Minocqua area. Barbara instilled her love of the outdoors in her children and grandchildren. Many days were spent outside, down at the lake, swimming across the bay, picking strawberries, or taking walks with the dogs. Barbara was an avid sportsman. She loved music, Broadway musicals, hunting, swimming, biking, skiing, golfing, and exploring the wonders of nature. Barbara was also an accomplished cook and baker. Her cookies and treats were the favorites of everyone who tried some! Barbara never backed down from a challenge. She always made the group have fun in every activity.

She volunteered her time and talents to numerous charitable organizations and her churches in Wausau, Brookfield and Winter Park, Fla. She supervised drivers for the Red Cross in Milwaukee and was a troop leader for the Girl Scouts. In Winter Park, Fla., Barbara was a member of Council 101 for the Orlando Museum of Art, fundraised for and a patron of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, and hosted annual faculty show cases for The University of Wisconsin Foundation. Barbara took up golf at age 55 and won numerous trophies as a long time member of both Minocqua Country Club in Minocqua, and a founding member of Interlachen Country Club in Winter Park, Fla. Barbara and Andy established two funds for the University of Wisconsin Foundation to benefit the forests at Kemp Natural Resources Station and the lakes at the Trout Lake Station.

She had a heart of gold, and everyone around her felt welcomed and loved. Her sense of humor, love of life, and wonderful personality will be missed by all who knew Barbara. Her family extends our love, heartfelt thanks and sincere appreciation to her caregivers Tess Lisner, Nancy Stowe, Hannah Weborg and Aspirus Hospice Services nurse Jeanie Takala, social worker Sara Sedo, Chaplin Michele Rein, Kristen Wickman, music therapist and Jammie Woller, CNA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to “Aspirus Hospice Services,” c/o The Aspirus Health Foundation, 425 Pine Ridge Blvd. Wausau, WI 54401, 715-847-2478 or [email protected]. A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held on June 1 at the Minocqua Country Club, Minocqua, between 1 and 4 p.m.

Bolger Cremation and Funeral Services is assisting the family, visit www.bolgerfuneral.com to share condolences.