Barbara Jean Spude

With sadness, we announce that Barbara Jean (Larsen) Spude, 77, of Sturgeon Bay, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away at Door County Medical Center in Sturgeon Bay, early Thursday morning, July 24 2025, surrounded by family. She fought incurable cancer tenaciously for the past two years so that she could make every second count with the ones she loved.

Barb was born in Sturgeon Bay on August 27, 1947, to Richard A. and Mildred E. (Hengartner) Larsen. She grew up and attended Corpus Christi Parish in Sturgeon Bay. Barb graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School with the class of 1965. She enjoyed ice skating and water skiing, as well as downhill and cross-country skiing. After graduation, Barb began working at Milwaukee Shoe Company in Sturgeon Bay.

On December 23, 1967, Barb was united in marriage to Robert Joseph Spude at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Sturgeon Bay.

They soon moved to Killeen, TX as Bob was serving in the military and briefly stationed at Fort Hood. They returned to Sturgeon Bay, where their first child, Jennifer, was born. Barb remained with her parents while Bob was deployed to Vietnam. Upon his return, they moved to Two Rivers, where Steven was born. They again returned to Sturgeon Bay and welcomed Sarah and Andrew to their family.

Barb was very active with her four children, whether it was attending sporting events and school concerts, or spending time together. She was a Girl Scout leader, active in the Home School Association at St. Joseph Parish, and a member of the local Homemakers. Barb enjoyed camping with family, traveling with close friends to Florida to get out of the cold winters, Super Bowl parties, and trips to various casinos.

Barb was blessed with six wonderful grandchildren with whom she had special relationships. She could always be seen watching them compete in sports or performing on stage and enjoyed visiting around a backyard campfire.

Barb loved cooking, and serving a good meal was one of her specialties. She enjoyed making a traditional Thanksgiving meal, was known for her poppyseed cake and baked beans, and always made sure everything was special. For years, she operated the lunch program at St. Joseph's Catholic School, sharing her love of cooking by preparing homemade meals for students.

Barb was a devoted member of St. Joseph Parish whose involvement extended beyond the school lunch program. She volunteered her time with the church fish fry, sang in the choir, and served as a Eucharistic minister. Barb especially looked forward to the Advent Tea, which she helped establish. She also organized the funeral luncheons for the grieving families of the parish. Barb hoped this ministry would help to provide a measure of comfort to the families she and her fellow members served. Additionally, she helped deliver meals to local community members through the Meals on Wheels program. Barb was also a familiar face during the elections as a volunteer poll worker.

After leaving the school lunch program, she enjoyed working at The Whistling Swan in Fish Creek. Barb had a wonderful group of co-workers who became friends.

Her love will live on in the hearts of her husband, Bob, with whom she was blessed to share over 57 years of marriage; children, Jennifer (Peter) Hentges of the Town of Ledgeview, Steve (Tamara) Spude of Woodbury, MN , Sarah (Charley) Olson of Sturgeon Bay, and Andrew (Jenny) Spude of the Town of Sevastopol; grandchildren, Austin and Zachary Spude, Annika and Mia Olson, and Katie and Tess Spude; brother James (Mary) Larsen of Sturgeon Bay; siblings-in-law, Lois (Jerry) Garrity of Baileys Harbor and John (Jill) Spude of Hawthorn Woods, IL; nieces and nephews; other relatives; and many close friends.

Barb was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Nancy (Ken) Bero; brother-in-law, David Spude, and her infant nephew; and other relatives.

Barb's life will be honored with a Mass of Christian Burial prayed at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Sturgeon Bay with Fr. Matthew Rappl as celebrant. She will be laid to rest in St. Joseph Cemetery in the Town of Sevastopol.

Visitation for family and friends will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at Huehns Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay with the Rosary to be prayed at 3:40 p.m. and a parish wake service to conclude the evening at 7:00 p.m., officiated by Dcn. Mark Bortle.

Visitation will continue at the church on Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Barb's memory to the David Spude Cancer Center (c/o Door County Medical Center Foundation, 323 S. 18th Avenue, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235; www.dcmedical.org/foundation/david-spude-cancer-center); or St. Joseph Parish (mail to: 526 Louisiana Street, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235; www.stjosephsb.com).

"Our family appreciates the care provided by the doctors and staff at Green Bay Oncology. We would especially like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at Door County Medical Center for caring for Barb with kindness and respect during her final days."

Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Barb may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.HuehnsFuneralHome.com.

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