Barbara A. Wellner, age 76, of Abbotsford, Town of Holton, passed away on Friday, May 5, 2023, in Marshfield, WI.
Barbara was born on September 27, 1946, the daughter of Elmer and Virginia (Grignon) Junker in Marshfield, WI. She attended the Rosedale one room country grade school and graduated with the “distinguished class of 1964” from Dor-Abby High School. After high school Barb was employed by Badger Basket in Edgar, riding her small motorcycle 20 miles to work every day. Upon graduating from NTC in Wausau, Barb was employed by ITT Thorp Corp. in the home office accounting dept.
Barb and Charles Wellner were united in marriage on October 25, 1974, after which they purchased the home farm from Barb’s parents in the Town of Holton, Marathon County which Charles and Barb still own and operate today. In 2020 the farm was recognized as a “Century Farm” by Marathon County and by the State of Wisconsin. In 2001 they got it certified organic, and they received many quality awards over the years. Charles and Barb have been members of both the State and National Holstein Association for over 40 years.
Barb was known for her strong work ethic and was an inspiration to their younger employees to be the best they could be, with some of them even calling Charley and Barb their “second set of parents”. Barb could either be found working alongside her husband in the fields driving her beloved orange “Allis Chalmers” tractors, or devotedly caring for their dairy herd of her favorite black and white Holsteins. She had many dear kitties, and they all had names. She considered it a privilege to be a farmer and care for God’s creation of the land, plants and animals. From a youth on she spent countless hours enjoying and valued the beautiful west branch of the Big Eau Plaine River that runs through their property.
In Barb's younger years she enjoyed sports and played for a time with the Unity Women’s Softball League. She always looked forward to their annual vacation when she and Charley made the trip to the U.P. to downhill ski at Powderhorn and Indianhead. Barb had a collection of toy vintage metal barns, which Charley and her displayed at various farm toy shows, taking best of show awards.
Barb from very young on was an avid motorcycle enthusiast, and she and Charley enjoyed extensive travel on their motorcycles. Barb especially liked riding the curvy, winding roads in the Black Hills of South Dakota, and the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains of Tennesee.
Barb and Charley had the opportunity in 2012 to tour the entire west U.S. coast with Organic Valley CO-OP and in 2016 they toured seven western Europe Countries.
Barb had a quiet and mild spirit. She enjoyed traveling, music, reading, the art of painting, and had a gift of writing poetry about things that were dear to her. Barb had a humble, down to earth personality, and she had dear friends and was well liked by others.
Barb was a life-long member of the Dorchester Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Barb was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Donna Rudolph.
Survivors are her husband, Charles, a brother-in-law, a sister-in-law, nephews and nieces and other relatives and friends.
Services were held at the Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford, on May 11, 2023. Burial took place at the Abbotsford Public Cemetery.
Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com
