Barbara Joan Wildman

Barbara Joan Wildman (Stock), 91, of Reinbeck, passed away Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at Parkview Manor in Reinbeck. A visitation will be held Friday, November 3, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Abels Funeral & Cremation Service-- French-Hand Chapel in Reinbeck. A memorial service will be held following the visitation at 12:00 p.m. with lunch afterwards at the Methodist Church. Online condolences may be made at www.abelsfuneralhomes.com

Barbara Joan Wildman (Stock), daughter of Ruth and Louis Stock, was born March 29, 1932, in St. Louis, Missouri, and spent her early life growing up in Missouri. She attended the Academy of Notre Dame in Bellevue, Illinois in 1949, and attended Baylor University for 3 years. On January 24, 1953, she was united in marriage to Charles Wildman, at the Country Church in Petosi, Missouri. She and Charles moved to Reinbeck in 1953.

Following her time at Baylor, she joined a traveling theatre troupe and in later years was a member of the Reinbeck Theater Guild where she performed in or directed many plays. Barb was also a school librarian, worked at Adonna’s, owned and operated a retail business, and worked with Chuck at Robert Dale Furniture. Among other things, Barb enjoyed many types of crafts but was best known for the beautiful greeting cards she made. They were the type of cards her recipients called “keepers” as they were too beautiful to throw away. More than anything, she was a loving and caring person, an attentive and compassionate listener, and wanted those she met to feel heard and seen.

Barb leaves behind her family who will miss her greatly; daughters Shari Hudson and Suzanne (Terry) Bruring; grandchildren Ryan (Rosie) Fitzgerald, Erin (Adam) Bothwell, Jordan (Matt) Jones, step-grandchildren Tom (Karri) Bruring, Heather (Clint) Staub; great-grandchildren Benjamin Bothwell, Michael Bothwell, Kalista Fitzgerald, Kallen Fitzgerald, Cooper Jones on the way, step great grandchildren Lance Corporal Jayden Bruring, Dakota Gracy, Airman Lane Bruring, Kailyn Bruring, as well as many beloved friends and family. Barb was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth and Louis Stock, husband Charles Wildman, and son-in-law Roger Hudson.

The Wildman family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Parkview Manor, Mercy One, Unity Point, as well as the many friends for their care and compassion during this time.

Barbara’s family is requesting if anyone has received a handmade card from her in the past to please include a photo of it with any sympathy cards sent to the family.

You had a good run mom and as this is your final curtain call, we send you off with thunderous applause. However, we know it will pale in comparison to the greetings you received on the day you walked onto the biggest stage of all and got to meet the author and perfector of our faith. We love you and you will be greatly missed.