Barbara Jean "Stanelle" Drews

Mrs. Barbara Jean (Stanelle) Drews, age 72, passed away peacefully after a long-fought battle with Parkinson's on Saturday morning, February 14th, 2026, at St. Paul Elder Services in Kaukauna, Wisconsin.

Barb was a lifelong resident of Appleton, Wisconsin, born to Gilbert and Arlene (Yandre) Stanelle on April 12th, 1953. She was also a devoted, lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Appleton, where she was baptized on May 10th, 1953, and confirmed on March 19th,1967. She married Ken on April 6, 1974. They were lovingly married and devoted to each other for 51 years while raising their beautiful children. She spent 41 wonderful years working at Thrivent before her well-earned retirement.

Throughout her life, nothing was more important to Barb than her faith, family, and friends. Barb graduated from Appleton East High School, where she made everlasting friendships with a group of friends, the "Class of '71." Whether it was weekends at their dockominium in Oshkosh, trips down the river on their boat "The Barbie Doll," watching her kids' and grandkids' sports games, or nights spent with friends in Cape Coral, Florida, Barb was the life of the party and a joy to be around.

We want to thank all of Barb's caregivers for the amazing love and care they provided Barb throughout her journey, including Morgan, Mandy, Ashley, Kim, Kari, and the exceptional hospice staff and caregivers on Poppy Path at St. Paul Elder Services. She is loved and will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

Barb lives in the loving memory of her husband, Kenneth; her sister, Ann (Stephen) Calder; her two daughters, Jessica (Michael) Vela and Aundrea (Christopher) Balza; her grandchildren, Abigail, Nathan, Vincent, and Alivea; sisters-in-law Marilyn (Joel) Clausen, Donna Schmidt, Darlene (John) Laird; brothers-in-law, Bruce (Peggy) Drews, and Curt (Lisa) Drews; god children, Lloyd Stanelle, Aaron Clausen, Jonathan Calder and Jacob Calder; along with many nieces and nephews.

Barb was preceded in death by her parents, Gilbert and Arlene (Yandre) Stanelle; her infant son, Andrew; and her brother-in-law, Ray Schmidt.

A funeral service for Barb will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at SAINT PAUL EVANGELICAL LUTEHRAN CHURCH, 302 N Morrison Street, Appleton, with Pastor Matthew Holtz officiating. Friends may visit from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will take place at Highland Memorial Park. A livestream of Barb's service may be viewed by clicking or entering the following link: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/a26022066660648

Rest in peace, Barbie Doll. You've made it to your final destination, Heaven.