Barbara Diane Gay

Barbara Diane Gay (Beyer) passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 21, 2025, surrounded with love from near and afar. Barbara was born on February 8, 1939, to Gladys and Charles Beyer.

At the age of 19, Barbara met the love of her life, Ronald Gay. They married on September 6, 1958, and together raised seven children. Barb and Ron celebrated 65+ years of marriage up to Ron passing on October 24, 2023, which was a testament to their enduring love and devoted partnership. The strength of their commitment to each other, guided us all to what true love should be.

Barb was immeasurably proud of each of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a Super Mom, loving grandma and a cherished great grandmother. Always a fan of everything and anything we were pursuing on an individual basis, cheering us on with positive encouragement, offering prayers and support through all the family’s individual and group life’s challenges. No matter what, she was always there for each of us with encouragement and love.

Her love extended beyond her immediate family which she embraced with, generosity and grace. A woman of deep faith, Barbara lived her Christian values through acts of kindness, selflessness and service. If you ever needed an emotional boost, encouragement or an extra prayer, you knew who to call.

Barbara had a gift for teaching and passion for learning. Whether it was baking, sewing, gardening, or of course, painting; she shared her skills freely, often learning something new just so she could teach it to others. Barbara created many countless cherished memories for us all like backyard kiddie carnivals, extra handmade skating and hockey equipment, hand-sewn costumes for school plays and halloween, or teaching life skills with 4-H (sewing/baking) and supporting the local Hmong community.

In more recent years, Barbara focused on painting and was known for her beautifully thought-out painted cards and artwork. She personalized each one of our birthdays, holidays and special events with her painted cards.

Barbara was also well known for sharing her delicious homemade bread, cinnamon rolls and on special occasions potica (classic family recipe handmade nut roll). Her children and grandchildren all learned how to make it.

She also had a sincere passion to document the family history and genealogy, helping to preserve the stories, pictures and legacy of past generations of our family. There is literally a small museum containing files, books, pictures individual scrap pieces of paper and certificates of proof documenting our family’s past centuries of life.

Barbara was so proud of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren: Robert Gay (Rose), Sharon Platt (Stephen), Joseph Gay (Lori), Catherine Wied (Thomas), Stephen Gay (Deceased) (Jessica), Ronald Jr. Gay (Deceased), Paul Gay (Jessyka), James Gay. Grandchildren: John Wied (Danielle), Michael Wied (Brittany), Oscar Platt (Jude), Meredith Guay, Olivia Blackwood (David), Alex Guay, Audrey Gay and great grandchildren, Leah and Harper. She loved her sisters Char Geier, Vickie Mullen (Deceased) and Sue Rice, along with so many of her other dear and cherished friends and family too numerous to count.

She is preceded in death by: Husband Ronald; two sons, infant Ronald and Stephen; one great grandson Noah; her parents - Charles and Gladys Beyer; sister Vickie Mullen.

Friends and family are invited to join our family Monday, October 6, 2025, at St. Louis Church, Dyckesville, N8726 County Line Rd, Luxemburg, WI 54217, for visitation between 9:00 AM-10:45 AM with funeral service at 11:00 AM.

Newcomer Funeral Home is assisting the family of Barbara Gay.

The family offers a special thank you to the St Vincent Hospital staff, Unity Hospice and St. Louis Church for their caring, thoughtful and tender care of Barbara.