Barbara J. Cooley

Barbara J. Cooley, age 75, passed away on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at Lancaster Health Services, Lancaster. She was born April 22, 1949, in Lancaster, Wisconsin, the daughter of Carl and Helen (Sherwin) Cooley. Barbara attended grade school at Budworth School & Flora Fountain. She attended Lancaster Junior and Senior High, graduating in 1967. Barbara started her career in the health field as a nurse’s aide at Lancaster Care Center, moving to Mercy Hospital in Dubuque in 1970. In 1982, Barbara trained as an ultrasound technician of the heart. In 1985, she moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, working at St. Luke’s Hospital. In 2006, Barbara went into a private practice office until 2010, when she retired to Fennimore, Wisconsin, to be around family and friends. Barbara enjoyed spoiling her nieces and nephews, researching her family genealogy, sewing, and quilting.   She was a member of the Beetown 4-H club, West Grant Saddle Club, Red Hatters, and served as a volunteer with the sewing department for the Grant County Fair.  

She is survived by five brothers: David (Elaine) of Bloomington, Jim (Gloria) of Lancaster, Mike (Geri) of Benton, Gary “Doc” (Ann), and Kevin Cooley, all of Lancaster; sister-in-law, Barb Cooley of Bloomington; 19 nieces and nephews; many great-nieces and nephews; and several great-great-nieces and nephews; other relatives and many, many friends.

In addition to her parents, Barbara was preceded in death by aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024, at 12:00 Noon at Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Lancaster with Pastor Mary Ann Floerke officiating.  The burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Lancaster.   Family and friends may call on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services at the funeral home.