Barbara Jean Kuenzi

Barbara Jean Kuenzi passed away at Aurora Medical Center on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. She was 90 years old.

Barbara was born in Chippewa Falls on November 19, 1934 to Daniel and Margaret (Lippert) Mitchell. She met Norbert Kuenzi in 1959 after being set up on a blind date. The two quickly fell in love and were married on February 27, 1960, when Norbert was working as a high school teacher in Clinton, Wisconsin and Barbara as a medical technician. They were happily married for sixty-five years and together raised five children.

Barbara loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, whether on camping trips, hikes at Hartman Creek State Park, summer days on Stratton Lake, or cozy gatherings at home. She had a special place in her heart for her “grand dogs” and was known to be generous with the canine treats.

Active her entire life, Barbara played tennis until the age of 88 and also enjoyed hiking, running, and bicycling with Norbert on their “bicycle built for two.” She loved reading, especially romance novels, and “skunking” family at cribbage games.

Throughout her life, Barbara worked as a lab technician, as well as an office manager at a dental office. She lived in Oshkosh and was an active member of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Neenah.

Barbara is survived by her husband of 65 years, Norbert Kuenzi; children, Mike Kuenzi, Dan Kuenzi, Amy (Kevin Ball) Kuenzi, Peter (Scott Mueller) Kuenzi, and Angie (Dan) Sullivan; grandchildren, Cassandra (Jared) Terfehr, Daniel and Brett Kuenzi, Caleigh Lowther, Cooper Juedes, Tara Kuenzi-Gilboy, Garrett and Brent (Melissa) Kuenzi, Hannah (Brian) Beaudo, Calvin Ball, Brian, Owen and Bridget Sullivan; great-grandchildren, Braxton, Barrett, Millie, Jo, Bennett, Samantha, Cora, Cameron, and Logan; siblings, Greg (Marlys) Mitchell, Sandra (Charles) Grohman, and Danielle Babbitt.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Daniel and Margaret Mitchell, mother-and-father-in-law, Nicholas and Louella Kuenzi, as well as her sister-in-law, Shirley Dearth, and brother-in-law, Orland (Donnalee) Kuenzi.

A memorial Mass for Barbara will be held at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 620 Division St, Neenah, WI 54956 on Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 12:00 pm officiated by Fr. Nonito Barra. Visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 am until the time of the Mass. Private inurnment will be held at Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established.

Thank you to the wonderful staff of the Aurora Medical Center Intensive Care Unit as well as Aurora Home Hospice. Your kindness will never be forgotten.