Barbara Boehler

Boehler, Barbara

Barbara Bates Boehler, 85, Green Bay, died peacefully January 18, 2015, at St. Vincent Hospital, following a recent diagnosis of brain cancer. She was born in Lansing, Michigan, on December 3, 1929, the daughter of the late Thomas F. and Marie D. (Rollenhagen) Bates. Barb attended Michigan Avenue and Verlinden Grade Schools, West Junior High, and Sexton High School while living in Lansing. After graduation, she attended Michigan State College, now MSU, and though she never finished her bachelor's degree, she continued to pursue her education throughout her life. She took classes at Eastern Michigan University and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and continued to pursue her intellectual interests through Learning in Retirement and a never-ending love of reading.

On June 17, 1950, Barb was fortunate enough to be married to her true love, Paul Hamilton Boehler, also of Lansing, Michigan, and in 2013, they celebrated their 63rd anniversary together. Paul preceded her in death April 29, 2014. Throughout their life together, Barb and Paul shared their passions for music and the arts, nature and the environment, learning and knowledge, as well as for each other. Together, they attended countless concerts and operas, and they traveled extensively in retirement. But perhaps their greatest joy was spending summers with friends and family at their cabin.

Barb worked as a preschool teacher in Manchester, Michigan, at the Hallmark Store in Green Bay, and most recently, for the UW Extension. After retirement, she was an active volunteer at the Weidner Center, the League of Women Voters, St. Vincent Hospital, and the Green Bay Botanical Gardens, where she served as a board member for 16 years and then as the first volunteer coordinator. She was a loyal blood donor with the American Red Cross and a sustaining member of Wisconsin Public Radio, whose classical music joyfully filled her home. Barb was a former member of Preble Presbyterian Church and a current member of First United Presbyterian Church. Along with being an active member of those two churches, Barb served on numerous committees for the local Presbytery, and she served as moderator for the Synod of Lakes and Prairies.

Survivors include three children, Carol Ellen (Paul) Wagner, Valders; Kristen Marie (Andrew Muir) Boehler, Las Vegas, Nevada; Karl E. (Crystal Mueller) Boehler, Oshkosh; two grandchildren, Matthew (Sumiyo) Wagner, Madison; Aria Elizabeth Boehler, Oshkosh; six nephews, Patrick (Sally) Bates, Joseph (Marie) Bates, Matthew (Becky) Bates, Thomas (Marina) Bates, David (Sue) Wenstrom and Paul (Jan) Wenstrom; four nieces, Jane (Kevin) Dyment, Katie (Cole) Johnson, Sue (Bill) Wheeler and Christie (Bill) Miller Servais. One niece, Claire Evans, preceded Barbara in death.

Friends and family will gather from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday at First United Presbyterian Church, 605 N. Webster Ave., De Pere. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at the church, with a reception to follow at the church, in celebration of Barb's life. Proko-Wall Funeral Home is assisting the family. To send on-line condolences visit www.prokowall.com. Memorial funds have been established for the Green Bay Botanical Gardens and for the American Red Cross.