Barbara J. Nolan, age 78, of Merrill, passed away on Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at home. Barbara was born to the late Arnold and Bettina (Staley) Wiley on February 3, 1939 in LaCrosse, WI. On August 27, 1960 Barbara exchanged vows with the love of her life, J. Michael Nolan in Madison, WI. He survives.
Barbara graduated from UW-Madison with a degree in education. She taught elementary school in Madison, and later Little Chute, WI , until the birth of her first daughter. Barbara devoted her life to her four daughters, husband and community. She served on various community boards, volunteered at the catholic schools as a librarian and at Pine Crest Nursing Home for many years. She enjoyed arts and crafts, including making her famous Father Christmas figures. She was an avid card and game player, and enjoyed spending time with her friends and family at her cottage on Tug Lake. Barbara was a member at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Merrill.
Barbara is survived by her husband, Michael; daughters: Amy (Bradley ) Boettcher, Jenny (Jeff) Oosterhuis, Sara (Amy) Nolan, and Mary Beth (Chris) Higgins; grandchildren Eric, Peter (Dana), Ali, Nolan, Jack, Conrad and Bettina; and one sister: Nancy Robinson. She was preceded in death by one son, Arnold Blake.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Barbara will be held on Friday, October 13, 2017 at 11am at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Merrill. Father Chris Kemp will officiate. Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 12, 2017 from 4pm-7pm at the funeral home and again on Friday, October 13, 2017 from 10am until the time of Mass, at the church. Burial will immediately follow in the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery in Merrill.
In lieu of flowers, family requests that donations in Barbara’s name be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association at 203 Schiek Plaza, Rhinelander, WI 54501 or the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation at 110 E. 42nd St. 16th Floor, New York, NY 10017 / www.alzinfo.org.
The family wishes to thank the first responders that came to Barbara’s aide. They were very caring and helpful. Family also wishes to thank Kindhearted Home Care for their support and care for Barbara over the years.
Waid Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.