Barbara T. Galliand, 78, passed away on September 23, 2009, at Seasons of Life Hospice House in Woodruff. Barbara Jeannette was born on May 2, 1931, to Bob and Betty Thomas in Ft. Dodge, Iowa. Shortly thereafter in the early 1930's, her dad was requested to move to the village of Hillsborough, New Brunswick Canada to manage the Canadian Gypsum Company. They moved into a magnificent century old mansion with all the charm of a home in that era. Each of its 17 plus rooms had their own fireplace. One of Barbara's fondest childhood memories and most precious gift she ever received from her parents at the age of six was her lamb named Bounce, who kindled her dream of becoming a mother. Barbara got her 1st through 4th grade education in a large schoolhouse that contained rooms for all 12 grades. Due to the demands of World War II, Barbara's dad returned to the U.S. to manage U.S. Gypsum in the 1940's, where the entire family finally settled in Evanston, Illinois, and Barbara finished schooling. Wanting to raise a family in a place reminiscent of her childhood home of Hillsborough, which Barbara often referred to as "the town that time forgot", Barbara and her husband, Roland Rentscher, chose Deerfield, Illinois to fulfill her first lifelong dream of raising her family of three beautiful children Steve, Jim, and Sue. After her husband passed away, Barbara entered into the business world as an executive secretary to a few local businesses, where she worked until 1979 when she was able to keep the promise of "Parting is not goodbye. We'll be together again," and reunite with her first love, Bill Galliand. She arrived at "The End of the Rainbow" when Bill located her through the help of a mutual friend in 1979, her second dream came true, when she received a phone call from Key West, Florida. An airplane to O'Hare Airport and they were in each others arms, reunited at last, the prophecy fulfilled, together again after more than 30 years of separation and no contact. Now husband and wife, Barbara and Bill (Teenie and Weenie to friends and family) stayed in Key West, where they owned and operated a successful business, Galleon Wholesale Seafood, which supplied fresh seafood to restaurants from Key West to Key Largo. After a decade, Barbara and Bill desired to return to the North where they chose Rhinelander, WI as their final home. It was here that they owned and operated Bill and Barb's Kozy Korner. "Those who pass through these doors are not our customers, but our friends," Barbara believed. After Bill's passing, Barbara kept Kozy Korner open until poor health forced her to retire. Barbara cherished memories of church, school, scouting, sports, music and entertaining. Her family always came first, her children being her primary motivation. She will be remembered as someone who embodied everything Jesus taught of compassion, acceptance, understanding, forgiveness, and to give love freely and wholly without prejudice. She lived life to its fullest as a free spirit who shared not only material things, but most importantly, Barbara shared her joy of life, impacting all who had the honor of knowing her. Those who passed away before Barbara include her parents, Bob and Betty Thomas; her former husband, Roland Rentscher; her brother, Bob Thomas; her husband, Bill Galliand; her son, Steve Rentscher; brother-in-law, Bob Faulkner; and several close relatives and friends. Those surviving her passage include, her brother, Bill (Shirley) Thomas; sister, Bettie (Bob, deceased); sister-in-law, Bonnie Thomas; son, Jim (Mary) Rentscher; daughter, Sue (Terry) Catlin; eight beautiful grandchildren, Darrin, Matthew (Jessica), Kelly, Molly, Jamie, Beth, Devin, and Kris (Melissa); three great grandchildren, Ava, Holden, and Landon; eleven nieces and nephews, several great nieces and nephews, Janet and Joe Rentscher and their daughter Karin Lee and her family, and several close relatives and friends. Included in Barbara's list of surviving loved ones is her dear friend of 75 years from Canada, Edith Long. To all her family and friends, Barbara wanted everyone to know that "Parting is not goodbye, we will meet again." Barbara will be laid to rest with her son Steve and next to her husband, Bill, in Nativity of Our Lord / St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. A service for family will take place at the gravesite with Pastor Gay Frisinger and his wife, Carol, offering prayer and remembrance. For those who desired to honor Barbara, her request was that contributions be directed to a worthy charity of the donor's choice. Carlson Funeral Home (369-1414 / www.carlsonfh.com) is assisting Barbara's family with arrangements.
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