Kerstin Gunborg Salomina Svensson

Kerstin Gunborg Salomina Svensson, age 83, of Oshkosh, died quietly at home on Tuesday, March 16, 2021. She was born in Skatelöv, Sweden on March 4, 1938, the daughter of the late Karl Bernhard Svensson and Florence (Andersson) Svensson of Sjövik, Torne Sweden.
Following in her grandparents’ footsteps, at the age of 19 Kerstin traveled to the United States in search of adventure. Her search took her to Anchorage, AK where she met the now late Jonnie M. Hibbard and they married in 1961. While in Alaska, she put her baking training to work in the flight kitchens of Air France. In time, she settled in Wisconsin to raise her family and pursue her interests.
Kerstin enjoyed baking Swedish patisseries and passed on the traditional Swedish fika concept of afternoon coffee to her family. She loved to garden and provide food and safe havens for area bird life. With no formal higher education, her entire life was spent educating herself. Whether it was reading classic and historic literature, studying geography, sewing, or laying hardwood flooring, Kerstin embraced learning and was happy to pass on what she knew to those who asked.
Her love of geography and places led to many travels. Always on the quest for the perfect tan and sandy beach, she treasured going to Maui and horseback riding and camping on the beaches of the Oregon coast.
When she became a grandmother, she took a great interest in table games and puzzles. Her quiet and self-deprecating manner was tempered with a highly competitive game-playing personality that often surprised an unsuspecting opponent. She particularly loved playing Canasta and Catan with her family and kept a notebook of previous scores so that the game could be picked up again when someone visited.
Kerstin is survived by two daughters: Carola Hibbard (Bill Hemmen), of Seattle, WA; Annika (Tom) Holland, of Oshkosh, WI; one son: Michael Hibbard of Cambridge, WI; five grandchildren: Anthony, Emily and Ashley Holland; Kelsey and McKade Hibbard; and one sister, Ingegerd Granberg of Sweden. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Angelique Hibbard.
Her life advice to her grandchildren was to not take everything so seriously and that it is the little contentments in life that make you truly happy.
Kerstin’s family would like to thank the thoughtful care of Compassus Hospice for their help in keeping her at home. She will always be loved and greatly missed by her family, friends and her two cats, Pushkin and Kitty, that stood guard and kept vigil until the end.
A private ceremony will be held at Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 24, with Rev Tom Long officiating. In lieu of flowers, take some time one day at 3 pm and make yourself a pour over cup of coffee and sit outside in the sun.