Gayle Whitney

Gayle Anita Whitney (Follestad), age 85, of Eau Claire, WI, (formerly of Bloomington), died peacefully on April 20, 2025.

She was born to Erling and Ellen Follestad on July 13, 1939, in Minneapolis. She worked as a secretary, but her most cherished titles were that of Mom and Grandma. Family was of utmost importance to Gayle as well as reading, doing puzzles, and sharing her infectious laugh with others.

Gayle is finally reunited with her beloved husband, Kirk, but is lovingly survived by son, Steve Whitney, daughter, Susan (Jim) Huston; grandchildren, Crystal Mason, Catlin Whitney-Hart, Emmaleigh (Geoff) Huston, and Maxwell Huston; great-grandsons, Cayden DeNeui, Ryder Mason, and Anthony Barthel, Jr.; brother, Bruce (Belinda) Follestad; sister-in-law, Lora Lee Corbin along with cousins, nieces, nephews, and loving friends.

A celebration of life will be held at Richfield United Methodist Church on Friday, May 9, at 1:00 PM with visitation one hour prior to service, followed by light refreshments at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Stand in the Light Memory Choir of which Gayle was a member: P.O. Box 1151, Eau Claire, WI 54702-1151 or www.standinthelightmemorychoir.org

Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.cremationsociety-wi.com.