Granton’s Honored Citizens, Pat and Wally Garbisch, will lead the  

60^th Granton Fall Festival Parade Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010. (Contributed Photo)

The Granton Rotary Club is pleased to announce Pat and Wally Garbisch as the 2010 Granton Fall Fest Honored Citizens. Their nomination was submitted anonymously.

Pat and Wally met on a blind date: A friend of Pat’s just happened to be dating a friend of Wally’s – and the rest is history.  The two officially became Mr. and Mrs. Garbisch Aug. 30, 1958.  The Garbisch’s have four children – Cindy, Lori, Cheryl and Mark. They have been blessed with five grandchildren (Nicholas, Amanda, Jamie, Matthew and David) and two great-grandchildren (Angelique and Nicholas Jr.).

Currently, Pat and Wally live just down the road from where Wally grew up and where both Pat and Wally raised their family. Wally drives school bus for the Granton School District, and Pat enjoys volunteering for many functions in and around the Granton community.

Pat was born and raised in Marshfield, graduating from Marshfield Senior High School.  As a young girl, Pat began taking piano accordion lessons.  By age 12, she owned her first piano accordion.  Pat recalls, “After a few weeks of lessons, my instructor came to our house and told my parents that I had some real talent.”  She continued with lessons and soon became fluent in playing the cordovox.  “I used to play my cordovox on WDLB on Saturday nights.  There was a show called ‘The Murphy Saturday Night Party’ – it was a competition of sorts.  I enjoyed playing on the show.”  As stated in their nomination letter: “Pat has shared her musical talents…playing for community events, family gatherings and special activities.”

Wally was born and raised in Granton, graduating from Granton High School.  In high school Wally joined the National Guard and was in the Guards for approximately six years.  After graduating from high school, Wally went to work for Rollohome in Marshfield where he worked about four and a-half years.

Three years into their marriage, Pat and Wally bought the house and farm across the road from Wally’s parents.  Four short months later, in 1960, their barn burnt to the ground.  Wally recalls, “There were many people who came to help us rebuild our barn – most of them volunteering their time.  We only had to hire two people.”

Pat remembers the day of the fire; “We were showered with so much generosity and kindness.”  During the construction, Pat made all the meals for the men who were helping – there were 15 to 20 of them.  “As soon as I was done with supper dishes, I started making pies for the next day.  I was 21, had a newborn and was cooking for a lot of people!”

In 1960, Wally began driving school bus for the Granton School District.  He recently celebrated 50 years as a bus driver.  Wally reflected, “I have had three generations of some families.  There would probably be more, but people have moved out of the district.”  Wally will begin his 51^st year of driving this fall.

Throughout the years, Pat and Wally have given of themselves selflessly.  If they aren’t supporting the children at school with a fundraiser, then they are supporting them at the many sporting events.  They are both lifetime members of the Granton FFA Alumni and are very active in that organization.  The letter of nomination states, “…they assist a lot behind the scenes, such as pickup up meat for the yearly donation drawing, getting supplies and plants for the FFA youth, chaperoning whenever they can, helping to run their carnivals and fundraisers and attending their banquets and events, just to name a few.”

Their service to the community doesn’t stop there.  You can find the Garbisch’s working at the concession stand at the ballpark, helping with activities at the Sportsman’s Club or working at various other events throughout the community.  Pat also gives of her time during the Town of Grant elections and for the area horse sale. Their generosity is ongoing.

Humble is the best way to sum up Pat and Wally Garbisch. Their selfless, giving nature proves that. Their nomination letter reads, “Everyone knows they are both just a phone call away.  They are always there to help out a neighbor in need, whether it’s a medical emergency or a listening ear. The list goes on and on.”

As Granton’s 2010 Honored Citizens, Pat and Wally Garbisch will lead the 60^th Granton Fall Festival Parade Sunday, Sept. 12. This is a very deserving honor for two outstanding community members.

Pat and Wally Garbisch in the 60^th Granton Fall Festival Parade Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010.