Barbara A. Wohlt

Barbara Ann (Boyson) Wohlt, age 77, of Appleton, passed away on Friday, May 23, 2025 like she was expecting it-with her lipstick on and her nails perfectly polished--surrounded by family.

Barbara was born on March 23, 1948, the daughter of Hugh and Delores (Kleist) Boyson, and grew up in the tiny village of Tustin, nestled on the northern shore of Lake Poygan. She spent her childhood on the water, waterskiing and helping her dad bait hooks and rig setlines as he made his living as a fisherman. In 1966 Barb graduated from Weyauwega High School. She would marry her high school sweetheart Jack Wohlt the following year. They settled in New London and had three children: Todd, Troy, and Summer.

Barbara was an amazing mother and an in-home childcare provider. Once her children were all in school, she went to work at The Frame Workshop in Appleton. Always artistic, Barbara would become an award-winning picture framer. However, her greatest talent was her ability to bring sunshine to others, so she became a receptionist-at Family Doctors in the '90s and then at Valmet Paper Machinery until 2008. She retired just in time to become the childcare provider for her final grandchild. When that granddaughter headed to kindergarten, Barbara followed her and became a much-loved lunch lady at Ferber Elementary.

Barbara loved life and found joy in it every day. She rose early every morning and savored her multiple cups of coffee before plunging into the activities of the day. She loved watching and feeding "her" birds (and fending off the squirrels who came for their seeds). God only knows how many thousands of dollars she spent on bird seed, peanuts, and suet in her lifetime! Her favorite springtime activity was visiting a variety of greenhouses to select the flowers she would lovingly tend all summer. The summer months were for going on boat rides, drinking margaritas, and enjoying live music. She loved music, dancing (apparently, she was a disco dynamo back in the day), and cheering on her favorite teams (especially the Packers and the Bucks). Barbara had a quick wit and fun sense of humor, which she used to gather friends like moths to a candle.

Yet, Barbara's greatest enjoyment in life came from spending quality time with her three children and eight grandchildren. They were her greatest treasures. She loved them all unconditionally. She also loved worrying about them! She always needed to know where they were and when they were all "home safe." She supported them in every endeavor and attended more carving shows, youth sporting events, and concerts than we can count! Every summer she hosted "Grandma Camp" for her grandkids, taking them from their parents and spoiling them rotten for a whole week. Year round she kept an overflowing candy drawer in her kitchen just for them. However, Barbara had such an abundance of love to give that she was constantly "adopting" people-young and old-into her "family." She enjoyed taking care of those close to her, always showing them how much they meant to her, and making sure they knew they were loved. Barbara was a devoted member of St. John United Church of Christ in Appleton for over three decades and adored the countless church friends she made there over the years.

Barbara is survived by her son Troy (Kathy) Wohlt and their children--Lily, Henry, and Margaret; her daughter Summer (Brian) Frame and their children--Jack and Rita; her daughter-in-law Julie and their children--Sebastian, Sawyer, and Elizabeth; her mother, Delores Boyson; her much-loved manfriend, Dale Hintz; her former husband and friend, Jack Wohlt; a dear "like-a-sister" cousin, Kathy (Boyson) Rigotti; her very best friend, Anzonetta(Anzo)Kubisiak; her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with the cute name Kahmir (pronounced "come here"); as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and many, many friends. Barbara was preceded in death by her father, Hugh Boyson; her son, Todd; her beloved aunt and uncle, Rita and Gil Kleist; her godson, Joshua Rigotti; and her former brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Alice (Wohlt) Dretzka.

Barbara's family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the medical teams that allowed us to have Barb for so long following her cancer diagnosis, especially the doctors and staff at Thedacare Oncology, and to the nurses at Cherry Meadows Hospice Center who helped us see that she "got home" safely.

Barb's service will be held at the Hillside Pavillion at Plamann Park, 1375 E. Broadway Dr., Appleton, on Wednesday, June 11 at 12:00 noon. Her "funeral party" will immediately follow at 1:30PM directly across from the park at the fabulous "House on the Hill"-1300E. Broadway Dr., Appleton. A shuttle service will be available up to the house from the pavilion and back, as parking is limited. Barbara's wish was to have this be a fun, festive event, CELEBRATING her life!