Barbara Schwandt

Barbara Ella Schwandt, age 83, of Ripon, WI, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Friday, November 26, 2021 at SSM Health Ripon Community Hospital.

Barb was born October 4, 1938 in Milwaukee, WI, the daughter of Halbert and Ella (Borth) Van Horn. In 1950, Barb moved to Ripon with her stepfather, Ronnie, and mother, “Blondie” Duntman where she attended the Ripon schools. On January 7, 1956, Barb married Gerald Schwandt at Our Saviour’s United Church of Christ in Ripon. Together they made their home at five corners in Ripon, where they raised their three (“R’s”) children. In her younger years, Barb enjoyed snowmobiling, fishing on Big Green Lake alongside Jerry and spending time with the gang at Walker’s Kollerville, Green Lake, where Barb worked for many years. She loved to sew and was a beautiful seamstress altering and sewing clothes for many family and friends. At a very young age, Barb was introduced to the beautiful dog breed of Golden Retrievers. Through her life she had three of her own, all named Fawn. Barb was a caregiver to her mom, Aunt Lu, and husband Jerry, before their passing. In recent years, she enjoyed Facebook, which enabled her to stay connected to family, friends and classmates. Her happiest times were spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. There was nothing more important in Barb’s life than her family.

Barb is survived by her children, Randy Schwandt, Ricky (Brenda) Schwandt and Renee (David) Dolske, all of Ripon; grandchildren, Rachael Schwandt of Ripon, Michelle (Shawn) Corbin of Rice Lake, WI, Angela (Christopher) Grady of Green Lake, WI, Sara (Matt) Gonzales of Oshkosh, WI, Katie (Kenny) Ruedinger of Stoughton, WI, Ally D’Amico of Oshkosh, WI, Zachary (Emily) Schwandt of South Milwaukee, WI, Jed (Jasmin) Dolske of Menominee Falls, WI and Nathan Dolske of Pickett, WI; great-grandchildren, Rocco, Enzo, Eva, Belle, Astrid, Sascha, Porter, Oliver, Dexter, Walter, Amayah, Malachi, Everly, Miles, Mason, Skyler, Sawyer and Aiden; and sisters-in-law, Doris Schwandt of Ripon and Carolyn Plagenz of Markesan, WI. She is further survived by several nieces; nephews; cousins; other relatives; and friends. Barb was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Gerald in 2002; step-father, Ronnie (who raised her) and mother, Ella Duntman; father, Halbert Van Horn; grandson, Jared Schwandt; brothers-in-law, Walter Plagenz, Jr. and Les Schwandt, Jr.; and nephew, Kurt Schwandt.

A visitation for Barb will be held on Saturday, December 4, 2021, from 10 – 11:00 am at Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home, 515 Mayparty Dr., Ripon, WI 54971.

A private family funeral service for Barb will be held on Saturday, December 4, 2021 at 11:00 am at Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home, with Pastor Paul Ethington officiating. Interment will take place at Garden of the Cross Cemetery, City of Ripon, WI. A memorial is being established in her name. The family would like to thank the entire staff at Ripon Hospital who cared for Barb in her final days.



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