Barbara Jean Dahlke

Barbara Jean (Moore) Dahlke, age 92 of Wautoma joined her Lord and Savior with her three sons by her side on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at Heartland House, Wautoma. She was born in Norway, MI on November 17, 1931 to Robert and Bernice (McDonald) Moore. Barbara graduated from Green Lake High School where she played the clarinet and was a soloist for the band, was the first Homecoming Queen her Sophomore year and went on to be Junior Prom Queen, Miss Aqua-ree, Miss Fisheree and Miss Recruiter. She then married Charles F. Dahlke on June 21, 1952 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Princeton. Barbara worked at Fabriko in Green Lake until marriage and the moved to Madison where Chuck was attending UW-Madison. She was then employed at Oscar Meyers until their son Steve was born. The family then moved back to the family farm between Green Lake and Princeton and then Barbara resided in Appleton while Chuck was in the service to stay with her parents where their twins were born. The family moved to Ohio where Chuck was employed at Union Carbide for 30 years. At the age of 42, Barbara took golfing lessons and golfed on two leagues and bowled on the Women’s and Couples League. She was an active member in the Mothers of Twins Club for 13 years holding the office of President and Secretary/Treasurer. When Barbara was 47, she became a Licensed Cosmetologist and worked 4 ½ years in a nursing home. After Chuck’s retirement, the couple moved to Wautoma in 1986.

Barbara was an avid golfer at Waushara Country Club, enjoyed swimming and diving, bowling and was a volleyball club team member. She was a member of Hope Lutheran Church, Mary Circle, Church Choir and was also active in craft groups and helped pack for the Grain Train and other church activities.

Barbara is survived by her three sons: Steven (Mari), Wautoma, Tom (Cindy), Wautoma, Gerald (Connie), Olmsted Falls, OH; 11 grandchildren: Michelle (Scott) Nickel, Amy (Corey Straight) Dahlke, Kristina, Whitney and Tanner Netzler, Michael (Alex) Dahlke, Molly Dahlke, Daniel (Molly) Dahlke, Bryan (Chris) Dahlke, Joe (Meagan) Dahlke, Jake (Kasey Olson) Dahlke; great grandchildren: Zach, Josh and Ava Nickel, Max and Maddy Ellsworth, Jase, Jordy and Jax Dahlke, Joshua Wakeley, Lily Dahlke, Bryan (Faith) Dahlke Jr., Anna Dahlke, Margaret and Emma Dahlke, Owen Dahlke, Mason and Kendal Webster, Eden Coffee; sister-in-law: Sandy Van Rhyn; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband: Charles; parents-in-law; two sisters: Pat Sigl, Donna Sternhagen; three sisters-in-law: Anita Dahlke, Shirley Erickson, Louise Dahlke; five brothers-in-law: Norbert Dahlke, Richard Sternhagen, Don Erickson, Jack Sigl and John Van Ryan. 

Memorial services will be held at 11AM on Monday, July 15, 2024 at Hope Lutheran Church, Wautoma with burial in Hope Lutheran Cemetery. The family will greet relatives and friends at church on Monday from 10AM until the time of services at 11AM. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Barbara’s name to Waushara County Food Pantry, Waushara County Run for Hope or the American Cancer Society.

The family would like to extend their grateful appreciation to the wonderful and compassionate staff at Heartland House and SSM Hospice.