Barbara J. Gibson, 84, of Eau Claire, died Thursday, April 8, 2010, at home with her family by her side. She was born in Eau Claire on April 24, 1925, a daughter of Gustave and Betty (Polinske) Nehring. She graduated from Eau Claire Senior High School with the class of 1941. Growing up she was a member of Epiphany Lutheran Church.\r\nShe worked in the business office at Uniroyal for 17 years and then moved to Minneapolis where she attended the University of Minnesota and attained certifications as an AODA counselor in both Minnesota and Wisconsin. Barbara was founder and director of Crossroads Rehabilitation halfway houses in Mpls in association with Abbott-Northwestern Hospital. She later returned to Eau Claire to care for her aging parents. \r\nShe worked at Prange's department store, and then joined the Eau Claire County Guidance Clinic as a counselor, a position she held until her retirement in 1994.\r\nShe was a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Eau Claire.\r\nBarbara is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Maxine and William Brooks of Fort Myers, FL; niece, Tara (William) Shore and their children, Camaron, Zariel, Justin and Derek; nephew, Christopher Healy; and many cousins. \r\nShe was preceded in death by her parents; and her former husband, Lloyd Gibson.\r\nHer family would like to extend a special thanks to her four cousins Sandra Krumenauer, Deborah Kimmel, Karla Anibas, and Kerri Krumenauer, and friend Beryl Bergh who made it possible for Barbara to remain at home in her final days. Although Barbara did not have any children, her niece, nephew, great nephews, and Sandy's children and grandchildren brought so much joy to her life.\r\nFuneral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 12, 2010, at St. John's Lutheran Church, 1804 Highland Ave., Eau Claire with Roger Benrud officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery in Eau Claire. Visitation will be one hour prior to services Monday at the church.

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