LaRone R. Gilbert

LaRone R. Gilbert (née Husome) lived a life of quiet strength, profound devotion, and creative expression that touched everyone who knew her. Born in 1944 to the Husome family with Wisconsin roots extending back to at least the late nineteenth century, LaRone came of age during the transformative post-World War II era.

On June 24, 1964, LaRone married Barry L. Gilbert in a beautiful afternoon ceremony at the Chapel of the Community Methodist Church in Port Edwards, Wisconsin. The wedding, held at 3 o'clock in the afternoon and officiated by Rev. David A. Spear, marked the beginning of a partnership that would span more than five decades.

Barry proved to be an ideal partner, sharing LaRone's commitment to education and community service. He served as a science teacher at Rufus King High School in Milwaukee for eight years before transitioning to a leadership role as Assistant Executive Director at the Milwaukee Teachers' Education Association (MTEA). His work in education and labor advocacy complemented LaRone's dedication to creating a warm, nurturing home environment where their family could flourish.

Together, LaRone and Barry raised two children who would become the center of their world. Their daughter Michelle followed her mother's passion for culinary arts, eventually establishing herself as an experienced culinary professional in product development, working at Goldbelly as of February 2024. Their son Jason married Jill, and both became beloved members of LaRone's extended family circle.

LaRone's greatest joy came from her role as grandmother to three remarkable grandchildren. Jay Gilbert distinguished himself as a music educator, earning his doctorate and serving as a Professor Emeritus of Music at Doane University in Nebraska after beginning his career as a band director in Wisconsin's public schools. Taylor Gilbert pursued athletics at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, where she played on the women's basketball team while majoring in Business Administration, appearing in 19 games during the 2018-2019 season and continuing through her senior year in 2021-22. Jordan Gilbert created his own family, with plans to marry Amanda Perez in July 2026.

What truly set LaRone apart was her artistic soul and creative spirit. She had a deep passion for visual art and possessed what her family described as "incredible talent in the kitchen". LaRone understood cooking not merely as a household duty but as a form of creative expression—each meal was "a reflection of her care and attention," a way of showing love through carefully prepared dishes that brought family and friends together.

An avid reader throughout her life, LaRone found "comfort, inspiration, and adventure within the pages of a good book". Her love of literature reflected her intellectual curiosity and her appreciation for the written word, values she clearly passed on to her family. This commitment to reading and learning was evident in her final wishes—she requested that memorial donations be made to local public libraries, recognizing these institutions as vital community resources.

Despite her many accomplishments and deep family connections, LaRone remained characteristically private throughout her life. Those fortunate enough to know her well, however, experienced her "fun, feisty sense of humor"—a spirited quality that could light up any room and made her "uniquely unforgettable". This combination of quiet strength and playful wit created a magnetic personality that drew people to her and made lasting impressions on all who encountered her warmth.

LaRone's life was marked by significant transitions and losses. Barry predeceased her, passing away on October 21, 2023, at age 80. After more than five decades of marriage, LaRone spent her final years as a widow, though she remained surrounded by the loving family she had helped nurture and shape.

On March 30, 2026, just four days after what would have been her 82nd birthday, LaRone passed away peacefully while surrounded by her loving family. True to her private nature, she had requested that only private family services be held, a wish her family honored with deep respect.

LaRone R. Gilbert's legacy lives on through the values she instilled, the love she shared, and the creative spirit she embodied. Her family remembers her as a woman whose "wit, strength, and quiet grace left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know her". In a world that often celebrates the loudest voices, LaRone's life reminds us of the profound impact that can be made through quiet devotion, creative expression, and the countless small acts of love that transform a house into a true home.