Obituaries

Lois Gibson of Madison, WI, age 90, passed away on November 30th after a long battle with cancer. She was able to celebrate her 90th birthday with loved ones over the summer and she spent her final days surrounded by family and friends.

Lois Mae (Neis) Gibson was born on September 30, 1933 in Baraboo, WI to Clara (Roundy) and George Neis. She graduated from Baraboo High School in 1951 and went on to work for Baraboo Motors and in numerous office jobs.

She married Charles Dana Gibson and they had three sons: Gregory George, Gerald Gene, and Garland Gale (Erzo). Together they lived in Baraboo, Burnett, Waupun, and finally settled in their home in Madison, where Lois lived until her death. She enjoyed playing softball when they lived in Waupun and celebrating victories at Dale’s Tavern. She also participated in many bowling leagues in Madison, culminating in several state bowling tournament appearances.

Lois enjoyed traveling the world. She visited New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, Greece, Russia, the United Kingdom, and took a cruise in the Caribbean. With her grandkids, she took two trips to Disney and visited the Badlands in SD, Las Vegas, and the Grand Canyon. She spent much time in Minocqua, WI with her lifelong friend Mary Klingenmeyer. When they got tired of the snow, she and Mary also enjoyed traveling to Gulf Shores, AL and Palm Springs, CA.

Known to many as “Pat,” or simply “Grandma,” she was a dedicated Wisconsin Badgers and Chicago Cubs fan. Grandma held season tickets to Badger football and hockey games. She went to the 1977 hockey NCAA championship in Detroit and went to the Badgers’ first Rose Bowl in 1993.

In recent years, Grandma enjoyed traveling with family to watch the Cubs play in Denver, attending her granddaughter Sam’s wedding in South Carolina, holding her three new great grandsons, and tasting the many Friday night fish fries around Madison. Twice a week, her granddog Charlie came to visit for the day, keeping her lap warm while she watched old Western movies or Cubs games, read books, or played games on her tablet. On the days Charlie visited, Grandma baked a batch of cookies or one of her famous pies. Her great grandson Arthur visited each Monday and Thursday and Grandma always had a cookie for him - and one for Charlie, too.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Charles. She is survived by sons Gregory (Renee), Gerald (Mary), and Garland (Patty Boyle), grandchildren Stephannie (Ian) Gibson Curry, Samantha (Justin Trapp), Ean (Ashley), and Devon (Jackie), great grandsons Arthur, Theodore, and Walter, and her furry friend Charlie.

There will be a visitation open to the public on Friday, December 15 at Ryan Funeral Home, Verona Chapel, 220 Enterprise Drive from 2 - 6 pm with a memorial service at 3 pm. Light food and refreshments will be served from 4 - 6 pm.

Lois will be buried on Saturday, December 16 at Oak Hill Cemetery in North Freedom at 11 am. There will be a brief graveside service. Friends and family are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Lois to one of the organizations that were important to her: the Dane County Humane Society, Carbone Cancer Center, or Agrace Hospice.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

Verona Chapel

220 Enterprise Drive

608-845-6625