Barbara “Barb” Jean (Fetter) Walters
Barbara “Barb” Jean (Fetter) Walters, 79, Chippewa Falls, passed away Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at the Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield, from a “broken heart,” surrounded by her family.
Barb was born April 19, 1943, in Eau Claire, to Harold and Vivian (Kuhnert) Fetter.
She grew up in Eau Claire, and volunteered at the Evangelical Lutheran Church Vacation Bible School. She attended and graduated from Memorial High School in 1961.
Barb began her career at the Eau Claire Paper Mill in 1961.
She married James Walters Aug. 4, 1962, at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Eau Claire. Following marriage, she was the vice president/secretary for their business, Cornell Auto Body.
Barb worked at Cray Research as administrative assistant in research and development, was the chairperson for United Way, organized the blood drives, fundraising golf outings, the family picnic and fun days.
She then worked at the Cornell Care Center and held several positions as an office assistant, social services and activities assistant. There, she was recipient of the “Spirit of United Way Award,” and while working at the care center, she enjoyed playing Mrs. Claus at Christmas, Mae West, Phyllis Diller and Parade of Star, where Barb retired in 2013.
Barb enjoyed many things, such as bowling for the Cornell Auto Body Team the “Bowling Babes,” where she bowled a high game of 237.
She also enjoyed garage sales, traveling, casinos, fishing, snowmobiling, taking pictures of sunrises and sunsets, watching sports like the Packers, Brewers, Jeff Gordon, races at Eagle Valley Speedway, the Card Club and Birthday Club, where she never missed anyone’s birthday or anniversary, lunches with friends or co-workers, dressing up for Halloween, trips with the grandkids and piano music.
Barb also loved her cat, “Boots,” and other animals, where she rescued many.
Her grandchildren were her pride and joy, she had a passion for people and was a mother to anyone who needed her, a treasured friend to many and was loved by many, many people, her neighbors and she will be missed.
Barb would try anything once and was always “game” for anything that would come up, she was a force of nature and full of sass. She lived life to the fullest! In honor of Barb, give someone a “hug” today!
She is survived by her daughters – Brenda (Mike) Hanley, Chippewa Falls, and Debi (Rich Ciborowski) Baumgartner, Ottawa, Ill.; grandchildren – Brandon (Jade) Hanley, Cadott, Harlan, Benjamin and Abigayle Baumgartner, all of Naperville, Ill.; stepgranddaughter – Justina (Dan Horel) Semerad, Elk Mound; stepgreat-grandchildren – Kendra and Brooke; many nieces and nephews; close friends – Mary Cooley, Clarice Houser, LeRoy Boots, Ray Wehrenberg, Ali Sime, Mary Walker, Liz Bauer and Kay Jarc; and other close friends, too many to mention.
She was preceded in death by her parents – Harold and Vivian Fetter; husband – James; brother – Raymond; sonin- law – Tom Hutchison; sisters-in-law – Cheryl Nunke and Ginny Fetter; brothers-in-law – Donald Stratton and Romie Swan; nephew – Thomas Stratton; and a niece – Toni (Nunke) Skifstad.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, June 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Leiser Funeral Home in Cadott.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.leiserfuneralhome.com.
