My name is Gwen Van Handel-Gilbertson. I am raising money to fix/install the driveway for the Beldenville Cemetery on County J.

The current path is grass and dirt and has some very deep ruts, which make it difficult for vehicles to traverse the cemetery.

I have many family elders laid to rest here, as are many veterans as well.

The Beldenville Cemetery was established in the late 1800s, when early settlers first made this valley their home. Over generations, it has become a place of remembrance and continuity—a quiet link between the past and present. Families gather here not only to mourn but to celebrate milestones, decorate graves on Memorial Day, and teach younger generations about those who built our community.

The condition of the driveway has become a visible reminder of how fragile our community spaces can be when maintenance falls behind.

What we need now is a permanent solution that will stand up to Wisconsin’s weather and serve the community for decades to come.

Our cemetery may be small, but it represents something much larger: our shared responsibility to care for those who came before us. Repairing this driveway helps ensure that future generations can continue to find peace and connection here. It also strengthens community pride—showing that even in a small town, we take care of our history and each other. By supporting this goal, you help safeguard a piece of Beldenville’s story.

The repaired driveway will welcome families for generations to come, offering a smooth, safe path to honor loved ones and continue traditions that define our town.

Thank you for considering this request and for supporting the preservation of our community’s heritage.