Gwendolyn Blanche Laatch Overby passed away on July 26, 2010, in her home surrounded by family and friends. \r\nGwendolyn was born August 2, 1916, in the Township of Otter Creek, Dunn County, Wisconsin. She was the first-born daughter of Olaf Anderson and Alice (Emerson) Anderson. She graduated from Colfax High School in 1934 and from Dunn County Normal School in 1935.\r\nGwen married Gerald Laatch on February 4, 1939, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Together they operated a large dairy farm in the Township of Hay River and raised two daughters. They later moved to the Colfax area and she continued her education by earning a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire in 1965. Gwen loved working with children touching many lives and generations of students teaching in rural schools, Elk Mound Elementary School and Colfax Elementary for 33 years.\r\nAfter Gerald's death Gwen married Raymond Overby, June 5, 1982, in Colfax, WI and moved to the Township of Sioux Creek in Barron County. Together Gwen and Ray enjoyed retirement years dancing, traveling, and spending winters for 18 years in Arizona, Texas and Florida.\r\nGwen enjoyed family gatherings, e-mails and family visits on the computer, researching family genealogy, playing the piano and keyboard, a good game of cards, reading, and writing the story of her life. A move to Eau Claire was made upon Ray's death where she enjoyed apartment living near family and friends. Gwen was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church.\r\nGwen is survived by two daughters, Geraldine (Vernon) Kressin of Lakeland, FL and Patricia (Duane) Suckow of Eau Claire; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, Lori Kressin of Charlottesville, VA, Jeff (Cindy) Suckow, Seth, Sam, Emma Jo of Eau Claire, Susan (Louis) Azzara, Erika, Madison, Kylie of Longwood, FL, Mary Jo (John) Griffin, Claire, Cale of Westby, and Michael Kressin of Phoenix, AZ; five step-sons, Robert (Donna) Overby of Pine City, MN, Dennis (Bobbette) Overby of Chetek, Curtis (Yvonne) Overby of Bangor, ME, Gordon (Cheryl) Overby of Cumberland, and Larry Overby of Chetek; six step-grandchildren and four step-great-grandchildren; sister, Ardith (Raymond) Gilberts of Sand Creek; brother, Wayne (Velma) Anderson of Arvada, CO; two sister-in-law's, Audrey (Gary)Quilling of Menmonie and Edith Laatch Hughes of Woodville; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.\r\nPreceding her in death were her parents, two husbands, her brother Lowell Anderson and one stepdaughter, Kathleen (Jack) Doyle.\r\nGwen's family and friends gathered around her during her last days on this earth in preparation for her "big dance". Her home has been filled with tears, laughter and conversations of good times together. Our dear beautiful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend lived a faith-filled life which frames her legacy and has been passed on to future generations.\r\nA celebration of her life will be held at 12 p.m. on Thursday, July 29, 2010, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Eau Claire with Pastor Roger Benrud officiating. Visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m. till the time of services at the church Thursday.\r\nMemorial donations can be directed to the Colfax Elementary School 5th Grade Reading Program, 601 University Ave., Colfax, WI 54730 or Good Shepherd Apartments, 3304 14th St., Eau Claire, WI 54703.

Service Information