Barbara “Barb” J. Barilani
Barbara “Barb” Jean Barilani, 80, of rural Taylor, passed away peacefully at her home, Saturday, November 23, 2024, after a year-long battle with serous sarcoma cancer.
Barb was born June 10, 1944, to Lloyd and Doris (Everson) Johnson. She graduated from Blair High School and married Philip Johnson. Together they had three children: Michael (Janice), Daniel (Julie) and Jenni (Bill) Lien. They later divorced. She married Jerry Barilani, June 23, 1990, and became a stepmother to his four children: Tom (Patti) and Tony (Brenda) Barilani, Tracey (Galen) Stenberg and Christi (Jeffery) Van Maanen.
In addition to farming full-time, Barb worked as a Paraprofessional with the Blair and then Blair-Taylor School District for 35 years until her retirement in 2008. She had always been active with her church, teaching Sunday School for many years at Trempealeau Valley Lutheran Church and was a member of the church Circle Group, first at Trempealeau Valley and later at Zion Lutheran. Barbara was a member of the Red Hat Society, Homemakers Club and Quilting Group. She was an avid seamstress, spending hours at her sewing machine, sewing many outfits, patching holes and even altering prom dresses for her children and grandchildren throughout the years. Barbara enjoyed quilting and always looked forward to her yearly quilting retreat with her good friends. She is probably best known for the beautiful flower gardens around her home which she spent countless hours maintaining. At last count, she had over 100 varieties of hostas, in addition to flowers of all colors and styles.
Nothing brought Barb more joy than spending time with her friends and family. When she was younger, she bowled on Friday nights in a women’s league at Whitehall Lanes. For many years she was part of a group of friends who met weekly to support each other in their attempts to eat healthier and lose weight. They lovingly called it “Fat Club” and for the most part it was really just an excuse to get together and play card games, board games or “spoons”, although they did occasionally lose a pound or two. Following retirement from farming, Barb and Jerry enjoyed traveling and went on many summer vacations with good friends, Dick and Marilyn Martin.
Barb was a devoted grandmother to: Kendra (Nic) Brown, Josh (Jackie) and Tyler (Nicole) Johnson, Kelsey and Caiden Lien, Amanda (Wade) Johnson, John (Nicci), Mike (Tracy), Julora (Kurt Riemer), Logan (Sarah Brown), and Dusty (Brittany) Barilani, Jaden and Jenessa Van Maanen, Nicole (Tim) Rice, Shauna Borst, Breanna (Remington), Jeff (Morgan) and Dawn DeBoer, Amy (Jeff) Swanson, many great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild. Her grandchildren kept her busy attending birthday parties, sporting events, band concerts, going on trips and providing Grandma’s taxi service. Her grandchildren loved spending time with her, almost as much as she enjoyed them.
Barb was preceded in death by her parents; an infant brother, Alan; a sister, Mavis; brothers-in-law: Bob Olson, Jack Davis and James Barilani; sisters-in-law: Nira and Jean Johnson; and a grandson, Brandon Berg.
In addition to the children and grandchildren mentioned above, Barb is survived by her siblings: Donnie and Arnie Johnson, Jan Davis and Natelie Olson; nieces: Sue Handlos, Mary Anderson, Amy Colburn and Lisa Boardman; as well as many special friends whom she always thought of as family.
The family would like to thank the staff at Gundersen Lutheran Oncology, Black River Memorial Hospital, Taylor Fire and Rescue, St. Croix Hospice and Dr. Michelle Clark-Forsting for their kindness and concern during this time.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Barb’s name to Taylor Fire and Rescue to help maintain and improve their EMT services.
Memorial services will be held Monday, December 2, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., at Blair Lutheran Church West (Zion) with burial in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery, both in Blair. Pastor Paulo Sannerud will officiate.
Visitation will be Sunday, December 1, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at Blair Lutheran Church West (Zion) and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.
Jack Funeral Home in Blair is assisting the family with arrangements.
