Gail Ward

Gail was promoted to glory and into the arms of her blessed lord and savior Jesus Christ on
September 7, 2020. She was born April 13, 1947 in Mishawaka, Indiana to the parents Willis
and Marie Nee: Riemer Poor. Gail’s father died when she was very young and her mother
remarried Richard Poor and the family relocated to Cambria, WI.

In Gail’s early years she and her brother, Bill, cut wood and shoveled long driveways to help out
while their mother worked full-time. She grew up fast helping to cook and care for her three
younger sisters and brother. Her childhood was tough but her mother assured her that God
would care for them. Gail was an active member of Randolph United Methodist Church, where
she learned to turn her hardships into strengths and become the compassionate person
everyone knew her to be.

Gail graduated from Cambria High School and with a loan from Grandpa Jung went to beauty
school in Milwaukee, WI. There she worked as a nanny to help pay her way through school. In
February of 1968, she met the man she would come to regard as the love of her life. On April 12
of the next year, she and Steve Ward were married. They started a family in Milwaukee with
the birth of their first child, Lori, in 1972. They welcomed their second born child, Roy, and
bought their first house in Appleton, WI in 1974. There they joined the First United Methodist
Church, forging long-lasting friendships and solidifying her relationship with the lord. Gail was
also fortunate in joining a group of ladies there who remodeled the nursery of the church and
effectively became a second family to her. Their twins, Amy and Heather, were introduced to
the world in 1976.

Gail and Steve realized they were their happiest while serving the lord and in 1990 began
pastoring a small church in Black Creek, WI. The next year they were called to serve in Siren and
Lewis, WI. Gail had true love and appreciation for both God and God’s people. During the
course of their ministry: she led bible studies, lady prayer groups, mission work, and helped
organize numerous community fundraisers and meals. Gail and her close friend Mary served
the young members of the church by leading its youth group. Additionally, she and her sewing
sisters lovingly crafted 250 quilts each year to be exported to Mexico. Her devotion to others
clearly impacted the lives of many deserving souls.

Gail was well known for her kind and magnanimous spirit, serving as an inspiration to all who
knew her. Hospitality was one of her many gifts and loving children was central to her core
principals. In her youth, Gail dreamed of becoming and one day became a loving mother and
second mom to so many more. Her home was extended to anyone in need and whoever
desired to feel welcome and fed. Over the last 12 years, Roy and Papa’s cross-country team
wouldn’t miss Grandma Gail’s annual mostaccioli dinner. Her love of cooking and giving to
others could be seen in strawberry jam, canned peaches, frozen sweet corn, tomato sauce,
frozen beans, banana bread that she loved sharing with others. She lived by the tenet that love
shouldn't be hoarded and isn't really love unless and until it is given away to others.
Gail enjoyed gardening, sunsets, time with friends and family, sewing, golfing, playing cards,
camping, quilting, puzzles, cooking, baking, and doing all things in the service of others. Her
recent years were spent surrounded by adoring grandchildren who will deeply miss her
affection, laughter, encouragement, and wonder regarding their uniqueness as little people she
loved. Her greatest joy came from her time spent with them, reveling in their riotous presence
and being the recipient of their unyielding love.

Gail was preceded in death by her parents, Marie & Willis Poor and dear friends, Mary
Yambrick, Angie Chelmo, and Marilee Kuhn.

She’s survived by her husband, Steve; her four children, Lori (Web) Ward-Macomber, Roy (Krissa) Ward, Amy (Jamie) Ward-Kelley, Heather (Tom) Andrew; grandchildren, Webster (Tessa) Macomber, Kelsey (Jason Harrington) Macomber, Nathanial, Elijiah, Fiona, Amelia, Gail, Evelyn, Madison, and Isabela; great
grandchildren Bowen and Spencer; siblings, Bill Poor, Sylvia (Dan) Swan, Becky (Brian) Jacobs,
Jeanie Korth; Aunt Patsy Prill; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

We miss and love her and feel comfort in the knowledge we will see her again.

An outdoor visitation will be held on SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2020 from 1:00 pm-3:00 pm at the First Baptist Church of Falun with a service beginning at 3:00 pm. For those attending the service, please bring a chair and plan to space for distancing on the church lawn.

Per the family's request, guests attending in person are asked to wear masks and respect social distancing. The family will only be accepting virtual hugs.