Barbara Louise Gear Trowbridge, age 92, of rural Archbold, passed away on the evening of Jan. 20, 2017, at Community Hospitals and Wellness Centers – Bryan, surrounded by her family. Louise was born Jan. 1, 1925, in Waterville, to Miles and Carrie (Kelly) Gear. Louise married Kenneth Willard Trowbridge on Aug. 10, 1946. They farmed for 10 years in the Delta area before moving to Archbold, where their five children grew up on the dairy and hog farm.
She is survived by her children, Carolyn (Jeff) Walters of Defiance, Marilyn (Bob) Nussbaumer of West Unity, Karen (Ken) Bergstedt of Liberty Center, Jim (Sherry) Trowbridge of Archbold, and Jane (Dennis) Johnson of Columbus. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren: Kevin (Tab) Bergstedt, Heather (Mike) Hollstein, Kurt (Marla) Bergstedt, Trina (Sam) Wyse, Kyle (Ashley) Bergstedt, Jennifer (Chad) Zuver, Tom (Heather) Trowbridge, John Walters, Kim Bergstedt, John Trowbridge, Ryan and Ashley Johnson; 16 great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, John (Betty)Trowbridge of Delta; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.
Louise was a homemaker and wonderful mother to her children. She joined in to help Kenneth on the farm; for many years, she enjoyed driving tractor and helping to care for the dairy cattle and hogs. She was a beloved grand – mother and looked forward to every visit from her great-grandchildren. Louise was active in the Franklin Township Extension Homemakers Group and received the 1992 “Bell Ringer’s Award.” She and Kenneth were very active in the Fulton County Dairy Association and the Fulton County Pork Producers Association/Pork Chop Club. She was a member of the Ohio Pork Producers Council, serving for many years as treasurer; she was awarded the “Outstanding Porkette Award” in 1992. She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Liberty Center. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and all of her siblings.
Funeral service 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 28, 2017 in Edgar-Grisier Funeral Home, Wauseon, Ohio. Pastor Keith Witte officiating. Interment will follow in Zion Cemetery, rural Wauseon, Ohio. Funeral luncheon will follow the interment services in St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, County Road T, Liberty Center, Ohio. Friends may call for time of visitation with family 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be made at www.GrisierFH.com
Arrangements are being handled by Edgar-Grisier Funeral Home of Wauseon. The family would like to thank Dr. Kesireddy and the ICU/Telemetry staff at CHWC Bryan, Fairlawn Haven and Pastor Keith Witte for their care and support. We also thank our many friends and family members for their prayers and support.