Barbara J. Kwiatkowski

Barbara J. Kwiatkowski, age 70, of Hazelhurst, WI, died Friday evening, January 24, 2025 due to complications of Pancreatic Cancer. She was born November 13, 1954 in Appleton, WI the daughter of Carl and Ruth Ebben. She was raised in the Appleton area and attended St. Joseph Grade School, Wilson Junior High and graduated from Appleton West High School in 1973. Barb had worked for 25 years at Marshfield Clinic in Medical Records and was known for taking walks on her lunch breaks. Prior to this, she had worked at Burton Industries and worked alongside several of her brothers at Acme Press in Appleton, which her father owned. Barb was full of life, vibrant, magnetic and loved unconditionally. Family was important to her; she made many sacrifices along the way so they could feel loved and well cared for. She made numerous costumes for her boys and herself. In addition, Barb also made and wore her homemade costumes for the holidays while working at the Marshfield Clinic, Minocqua Center. Many will remember her for the homemade treats she shared at family get-together’s, especially at Christmas and for wearing her decorative festive socks. Barb’s caring nature and concern for others was evident after the loss of her son, Josh, when she was one of the driving forces behind starting and operating the Northern Lights Chapter of Compassionate Friends. Barb enjoyed downhill skiing and always appreciated skiing at Alpine and going on family trips to the UP, Lutsen, MN and Colorado. Other favorite past times were reading, camping, fishing and making quilts and giving them to the special people in her life. She was especially overjoyed to have the opportunity to make a special quilt for her only grandson, Lewis, who she shared a special bond with. Barb had a unique ability to give warmth and comfort which always extended beyond the moment to her friends and family. Barb welcomed Heidi and Norah to their family unconditionally and always looked forward to spending time with them. Barb loved to fish and was very good at it. Marty often said if it wasn’t for her fishing skills they would not have enjoyed all the Friday fish fry’s they had throughout the years. Barb also relished fishing Lake Kabetogama and Namakan Lake in Voyageurs National Park where she and Marty worked during the summer with very special friends, Sheri and Jeff Krueger. Marty often told people he would love to go fishing with them but could never sneak the boat out of the yard without Barb knowing it. As a family, they were able to enjoy many fishing and camping trips to Canada. Barb is loved and will be missed by her husband of 47 years, Marty; her sons whom she loved very much Sam and the late Josh; her grandson, Lewis, whom Barb treasured beyond measure; extended family, Heidi and Norah; her brothers and sisters, Cliff (Mary), Steve, Nancy, Peg, Dan, Eric (Dawn), Tim, Andy Ebben and the late Tom. Other family members include her numerous nieces and nephews, Jim (Niki) Ebben, Joe (Emily) Ebben, Ashantae, Chuck and Kobie Burton, Steve and Mike (Leonna) VanOudenhoven, Tom, Jon (Allegra) and Chris Detzer, the late Allyce Reetz and her husband the late Tong Lee, Alex (Lilly) Brick, Makeena Brick (Tony Lopez), Bailey Ebben (Arthur Leung), Bethanie, Brielle and the late Isaiah, Emily and Hannah Ebben; great nieces and nephews, Campbell, Jett, Ozzie and Poppy Ebben, Langston Burton, Ava, Tatum and Liam VanOudenhoven, Skyra and Luca Brick and Madeline Ebben. She further survived by her mother-in-law, Dorothy Kwiatkowski and the rest of the Kwiatkowski sisters and brother, their spouses, children and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son, Josh; parents, Ruth and Carl Ebben; grandparents, Robert and Dorothy Ebben and Andrew and Elfie Gloudemans; brother, Tom; nieces and nephews, Allyce Reetz (Tong Lee), and Isaiah Ebben. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, February 3, 2025 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Woodruff, with visitation one hour prior to the Mass at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the family for a college fund being established for Lewis.

Barbara J. Kwiatkowski

November 13, 1954 - January 24, 2025