Obit: Grossenbacher, Philomena M. (1937 – 2016)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Grossenbacher, Gerritsen, Poodt, Briesath, Korsten

----Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, Wis.) 20 Apr 2016

Grossenbacher, Philomena M. (7 JUL 1937 – 6 APR 2016)
Philomena M. Grossenbacher, 78, Loyal, died in her sleep, at home, on Wednesday, April 6, 2016. A memorial service will be held at 12:30 p.m., on Friday, April 22, at the Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall in Marshfield. Visitation will be held at Kingdom Hall, on Friday, from noon until time of service.

Philomena Maria Gerritsen was born on July 7, 1937, in Haaksbergen, Netherlands, to Anna Maria (nee Poodt) and Theodorus Gerritsen. Philomena’s father, Theodorus, was killed in a traffic accident in 1940, leaving Anna Maria with four young children to survive the tail end of the Depression and World War II. In order to provide Philomena with a good education, she was sent to a boarding school in Grubbenvorst, a convent. She continued her studies at Grubbenvorst from age 9 until she graduated high school at age 16. Philomena continued her education and became a registered nurse, graduating cum laude from Vucht in 1962. Her nursing career brought her to Burgdorf, Switzerland, where she met and fell in love with a young charming farmer, Franz Grossenbacher. The couple married on Oct. 24, 1964. Together they had three children: Jurg, Sandra and Urs. At the age of 40, Philomena and Franz, their three children, and Franz’s brother, Peter, immigrated to Loyal, to pursue the dream of owning a dairy farm. Philomena worked tirelessly on the farm using her nursing background to nurture all the animals, especially her calves. She dedicated her life to her family and her work. Philomena was a wonderful wife and loving life partner for Franz, and a loving mother to their three children. Everything Philomena did, she did with her whole heart. Philomena found a second family with her brothers and sisters at the Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall in Marshfield. She studied the Bible, eventually being baptized as a Witness in May 2015.

She is and will be missed terribly by her husband Franz, Loyal; her three children: Jurg (Jalynn) Grossenbacher of Kewaskum, and their children, Ariahna and Myles, Sandra (Jerry) Briesath of Waunakee, and their children, Luke, Benjamin and Jackson, and Urs Grossenbacher of Loyal; one sister, Mia (Jan) Korsten, and one sister-in-law, Marina Gerritsen, both of the Netherlands; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters: Katie Gerritsen and Mientje Gerritsen; and one brother, Ben Gerritsen.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.

Cuddie Funeral Home, Loyal, is assisting the family with arrangements.