Barbara Ann (Sturm) Wilson

Barbara was born January 17, 1942, to Robert and Mildred (Buchholz) Sturm in Iola, WI. During the first ten years of her life, she moved 11 times with her family. Barbara was baptized by the Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Manawa, at the home of her grandparents. Barbara was confirmed in 1955 at St. Luke Lutheran Church, Big Falls, WI. Barbara was a Sunday School teacher at St. Luke’s, active in the Ladies Aid, Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML), Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF), and Friends of Concordia University-Mequon, of which she was secretary for a number of years.

Barbara began school at St. Paul Lutheran in Manawa, she then attended Peterson Mill School in Scandinavia before the family moved to the Big Falls area. Barbara graduated from Big Falls State Grade School in 1955, second in her class. Barbara graduated from Marion High School in 1959. After high school she attended a business college in the Milwaukee area where she also worked as a mother’s helper for room and board while going to school. Barbara always managed to save up enough bus fare to come home for the polka dances that were held at the hall in Big Falls about once a month. While living in the Milwaukee area, she worked at the Marshall & Ilsley Bank. Upon returning from Milwaukee, Barbara worked at A. Sturm & Sons, Inc. in Manawa, where she met her future husband for the second time. They were married on December 7, 1962. She took some time off when her children were young. She returned to work for A. Sturm & Sons, Inc. for another 10 years. Then later in life she became a Postmaster Relief (PMR) for the Post Office in Big Falls. She really enjoyed working in this position until retiring in January of 2011. Barbara especially enjoyed working in the garden and raising gladiolas and other flowers, reading, and woodworking projects – which decorated her yard for different seasons. Barbara liked spending time with her family. She also helped her husband by riding along on his paper route and at times doing the route when he was unable due to health reasons. Barbara took over the paper route after Lyle’s death with the help of her daughter-in-law, Doris Wilson and her family, until retiring from the route in October of 2013.

Barbara’s husband, Lyle, preceded her in death in June of 2013. Survivors include six children: Sondra (Scott) Reierson, Ogdensburg, WI, Bruce (Laura) Wilson, Owatonna, MN, Leslie (Doris) Wilson, Marion, WI, Denice (Carmen) Russo, DePere, WI, Jody (Janel) Wilson, Appleton, WI, Karolee (Jeremy) Hrobsky, Neenah, WI. She is also survived by her brother, Dennis (Carolyn) Sturm, Kalispell, MT, and sister-in-law, Janice Pagel, Ogdensburg, WI, stepsons Robert Crotty, Illinois, and Paul Crotty, Florida. She is also survived by grandchildren, great grandchildren, and step grandchildren. They are: Christopher Winters, Mattheaw (Andrea Presendorfer) Winters – Mattheaw Jr. and Kira, Nathanial Winters, Melissa Larson – Alexandria and Luciano, Cody, and Brooklyn, Amanda (Jacoby) Brigham – Jacoby Jr., Kristine (Shawn) Yackley – Francine, Amanda Pulju – Evan and Emma, Zach (Carlie) Wilson – Opal and Elijah, Jake Wilson – James, Azziza (Sam McIntyre) Proctor – Makena, Eliza , Solomon, and Evelyn, Brandy (Ethan) Hankey – Quinten and Vienna, Dylan Wilson, Ben (Allyssa) Wilson, Lacy (Jeff) Bourke – Ethan and Parker, Cally (Morgan) Mackmiller – Ellianna and Felicity, Mary Dickinson, Charley Hrobsky, Casey Rebel Winters – Jameka, Isabella, and Christian. Also, aunts LaVerne Werth, Menasha, WI, and Luella Zimmerman of Kansas, uncle, David Sturm of Florida, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

Barbara was preceded in death by her brother LeRoy Sturm, infant son Christopher Wilson, her parents Robert and Mildred (Buchholz) Sturm, her husband Lyle Wilson, granddaughter Alexis Wilson, step great granddaughters Nora Brown and Hazel Mackmiller, infant great granddaughter Olivia Wilson, and stepdaughter Pamela Crotty.

Visitation will be held at the Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory (South Location, 299 S. Main Street) in Clintonville, on Thursday, February 12, 2026 from 4:00-7:00 pm. Barbara’s funeral service will be held at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 130 Harrison St., Big Falls, on Friday, February 13, 2026 at 11:00 am. With visitation 1 hour prior to the service. Cremation to take place after the service and inurnment will be in the Lakeside Cemetery in Waupaca at a later date.

Special thanks to ThedaCare Hospice and the staff at Greentree Health & Rehabilitation Center of Clintonville.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Luke Lutheran Church of Big Falls, or Friends of Concordia, Concordia University.