Barbara Herb

Barbara Herb (Yingling), age 90, passed away peacefully Wednesday night, October 28th at Peabody Manor, with her family having spent precious time at her side. She was born to the late Lucille and Milton Yingling in Appleton, WI where she grew up. She graduated from St. Mary High School in 1954.

Barb made the decision to follow Jesus when she was in grade school, but it wasn’t until years later that she really started studying the Bible and truly understanding God and His love for us. She loved leading Bible studies and was a woman of prayer! She prayed regularly for her kids, grandkids and great grandkids asking God to protect, guide and help them through various life circumstances. She also prayed for everyone she met, so if you’ve met Barb, she prayed for you.

In her own words, Barb felt so blessed by her husband of 70 years, Jerry; and their five children - her daughters, Lisa, Cece, Jacque (Bruce), and her sons, Jeff, who preceded her in death, and his wife, Mary, and Eric (Debbie). Her heart was filled with joy by their 11 grandchildren, Natalie (Luke), Brody (Kaitlynne), Sarah (Jason), Melinda (Jed), Jon (Erin), Tommy (Mikayla), AJ (girlfriend Liz), Pierce (Moriah), Alec (Alia), Christian (fiancée Brianne), and Abbey (Carter); and their 23 great grandchildren who are the best and most fun! She is also survived by special nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lucille & Milton Yingling; Jerry’s parents, Hildegard & Edwin Herb; brother, Gerald; and son, Jeff.

Barb’s favorite times were activities with family, vacationing in Door County, and making too much food for holidays. She was a great gift-giver and Christmas presents were always wrapped or distributed in fun ways. She also enjoyed providing leadership in scouts and PTA, sewing clothes for her kids, typing cookbooks and crocheting prayer shawls for Shepherd’s Care. Barb was primarily a stay-at-home mom, but she had a variety of jobs throughout her life – Viking Theater, Alko Supermarket, Bea Franks, Matthews Tire, election worker, Republican campaigning, census worker, embroidery store and Life Promotions.

Though she is deeply missed, her love of God and family will live on in our hearts. We are all at peace knowing she is now in heaven dancing and singing with Jesus.

A celebration of Barb’s life will be held on Saturday, November 28th from 2:00pm – 4:00pm at Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N. Superior St, Appleton, WI 54911. In lieu of flowers, the family invites loved ones to honor her memory through a donation to either World Challenge (founder, David Wilkerson) or Samaritan’s Purse (founder, Franklin Graham).

We’d like to thank those who cared for Barb through ThedaCare Hospice, especially her nurse, Ben, as well as those at Cherry Meadows and Peabody Manor. But we’d especially like to thank Dad for loving and caring for mom so well during these past 10+ years.