Jacqueline J. Gibbs

Jacqueline “Jackie” Jane (Kuepfer) Gibbs, 87, of Town of Lafayette, died at Our House Memory Care Facility, Chippewa Falls, on September 20, 2023, under the care of St. Croix Hospice.

She was born May 19, 1936, at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Chippewa Falls, WI, to Romeo and Ella (Boettcher) Kuepfer. Jackie married Howard M. Gibbs on April 26, 1958, at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Chippewa Falls. He and Jackie resided in the home Howard built in the Town of Lafayette after their marriage until their deaths.

Jackie graduated from Chippewa Falls Senior High school in 1954. She attended UWEC for a short time. Her career included working at McDonell High School, Wisconsin DNR in Eau Claire, and Northern Center until her retirement. She had a love of music, which she shared with many as an organist for over 65 years. She also had a love of animals, especially her precious Springer Spaniels. She was active for several years with the Chippewa County Humane Association. Jackie’s greatest love, outside of her family, were her beloved Green Bay Packers. She often said, “Next to the Red, White, and Blue, Green and Gold are my favorite colors,” and “The ‘G’ stands for Gibbs.” She was a proud “owner” of the Packers. She was also well known for her delicious chocolate chip cookies.

Survivors include: a daughter, Sharon McIlquham of Chippewa Falls; two sons, Steve (Pam) Gibbs of Chippewa Falls, and Bryan (Kristin) Gibbs of Mondovi; eight grandchildren, Sara (Jeff) Kawell, Christopher (Carrie) Gibbs, Rachael McIlquham, Emma McIlquham, Marissa Gibbs, Reid Gibbs, Briana (Seth) Johnson, and Steven (Alex) Linberg; six great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard; her parents, Romeo and Ella Kuepfer; and her sister, Sandy Cain.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, September 25, at Central Lutheran Church, Chippewa Falls, with the Rev. Aaron Sturgis officiating. Interment will follow the service at Bateman Cemetery, town of Lafayette. In honor of Jackie’s love of the Packers, friends and family are encouraged to wear their Green Bay Packer attire.

Friends may visit from 4 (after the Packer game) to 7 p.m. Sunday at Central Lutheran Church, Chippewa Falls, and one hour prior to the service Monday at the church.

The family would like to thank the caring staff at Our House Memory Care and caring professionals from St. Croix Hospice. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jackie’s memory may be directed to the Chippewa County Humane Association.