Barbara Joan Vignali

Barbara Joan Vignali

Barb was born March 24, 1938 in Wausau, WI to Eleanor and Charles Anderson and was later warmly welcomed and raised by her foster parents, Frank and Mabel Grisa. Barb went to her eternal glory on March 1, 2026 surrounded by the love of her family and a life well lived.

Barb graduated from Merrill High School, carrying with her the strong values of hard work, faith, and family that shaped her entire life. On June 6, 1959, Barb married her sweetheart, Richard Vignali in Merrill Wis. Together, they built a wonderful life filled with laughter and love, raising their family and working side by side on their Wausau-area farm. Their partnership was built on a never wavering faith in Jesus Christ, dedication to church and family. Over the years there were plenty of smiles, some tears and always a shared sense of adventure.

Barb had a zest for life and a variety of interests. She enjoyed crafting, gardening, and she found special joy in music-playing both the flute and the piano and singing. Her faith was at the heart of her days, and she was happily involved in her church community and proud to sing with the Wausau Insurance Choir. Barb loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren and was always behind the camera capturing their moments throughout the years.

Balancing work and home, Barb was not only a wonderful partner on the farm and a devoted mom but also worked as an overnight security agent at Wausau Insurance. In later years, Barb cared for several elderly people spending days and nights caring for their needs and sharing her love and her faith in God with them.  A very special time of life for Barb and Richard was during the time they were involved at Willow Springs Garden in Wausau working in the kitchen, flower beds and setting up weddings, special occasions and family get togethers. It was at Willow Springs Gardens that a surprise 50th wedding anniversary was held for them. The love for Barb and Dick by family and friends was evident by the turn out of over 200 people attending. Many of those who came to celebrate were neighbors from the Village of Maine who had known them for several years.

Above all, Barb was an "all-in" mother and grandmother-always engaged, endlessly supportive, and immensely proud of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her warmth and love will be cherished for generations.

Barb leaves behind a family who adored her: her children, Mike Vignali and Jenne (Jeff) Martens; her grandchildren Kathleen (Marty) Vanderstappen, Daniel Vignali, Vincent Vignali, Andrea (Dylan) Fleischman, Ryan (Janel) Martens, Anastassia Martens, and Alyssa Martens; and her great-grandchildren Orion, Bradley, Theodore, and Eleanor Martens. Siblings, Alice Nichols, Sandy (Bill) Schultz, half-sister Gail Gore, Edith McNeely Price, and Verna Burton.

Barb was preceded in passing by her loving husband, Richard Vignali; her sisters Judy Seehafer and Mary Pagel; brothers Dick Anderson and Reverend Robert Warnke, foster parents Frank and Mabel Grisa, and foster siblings; Ruthie Grisa King, Mildred Rooney, Mark Eldon Grisa,

Friends and family are invited to a visitation from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Friday March 6, 2026, at Helke Funeral Home Wausau, with a service at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Francis Cemetery in Merrill. (Located one block north of Hwy 64 on Memorial Drive in the city of Merrill, WI)