Koehler, Barbara “Barb” Jeanne (née Ferschl), age 75, and a long-time resident of New Berlin, Wisconsin, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, October 17, 2024 at home.
She is survived by her husband, Donald Koehler; her children, Ryan (Stephanie) Koehler and Lynn (Alexandra Huffman) Koehler; her granddaughter, Lucy Koehler; her sister, Christine (Marv) Wunder; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She is preceded in death by her grandmother, Frances Alstadt; her aunts Madeline Ferschl and Ann Ferschl; as well as many friends.
Barb was born and raised in Milwaukee in the Berryland neighborhood. She shared many memories from this period of her life including neighborhood backyard parties and ice skating at the neighborhood park. At 18, she started a long career at US Bank as a data analyst where she met her future husband as well as close friends. She played softball, loved to cook and bake, and travel; having been to many US states and various countries. Her favorite destinations being England, Ireland, and France. Barb was known to blast music while driving or cleaning. Some of her favorite artists included: The Beatles, Gene Pitney, The Beach Boys, Michael Bublé, Bruno Mars, Andy Williams, and Eric Clapton.
Barb had a unique perspective in life which translated to how she decorated her home with a wide variety of art and tchotchkes including hiding various small decorative mice around the house, much to the surprise of her family. She was actively involved in her children’s lives having been a Girl Scout leader and a Boy Scout den mother. She enjoyed going to plays and musicals, listening to live music, taking various cooking classes, and caring for her many parakeets. She had a full social life with multiple lunches, dinners, and events planned throughout each week. She was kind, had a heart of gold, and very generous. Barb was a devoted wife, mom, grandma, sister, aunt, and friend who was always able to crack a good joke and had a quick wit that was unmatched.
Visitation will be held on November 1, 2024 at Krause Funeral Home, 12401 West National Avenue, New Berlin, Wisconsin from 10:00 AM – 11:45 AM and a short service celebrating her life at 12:00 PM. A livestream link will be available on this webpage for the funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, albeit a kind gesture, Barb would have preferred donations be sent to the Humane Animal Welfare Society of Waukesha or the New Berlin Food Pantry.