Barbara Jean Von Haden

Barbara Jean Von Haden, 88, passed away peacefully at her home in Texas on June 19, 2026. Born on August 19, 1937, at Gundersen Hospital in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Barbara was the daughter of Albert Paul and Lorchen Katherine (Bonsack) Kriesel. She spent her early years on Brice Prairie before her family moved to Galesville, where she graduated from Galesville-Ettrick High School in 1955. On December 20, 1957, she married the love of her life, Fred Von Haden. Their marriage was a true love story that endured through every season of life. Through joys and challenges, they remained devoted to one another. Even in Barbara's final years, Fred's unwavering care and affection reflected a lifetime of love, and anyone who saw the way he looked at her could see the special bond they shared. As the wife of a military serviceman, Barbara's life took her around the country and the world. She lived in Japan, Germany, New Jersey, Maryland, New Mexico, Texas, and many other places before eventually making Texas her home. Yet no matter where life took her, Wisconsin always held a special place in her heart. For nearly twenty years, she returned each summer to spend time with family and friends, hosting family reunions that brought relatives together across generations. Barbara was the heart of her family. She never let too much time pass without reaching out to someone she loved to ask, "How are you doing?" She treated friends like family, welcomed people without judgment, and made everyone feel they belonged. Her faith was an important part of her life, and her family takes comfort in knowing she has found her way Home and has been reunited with those she missed so dearly. She will be remembered for her sharp wit, infectious laugh, and spirited personality. Many described her as spunky, and it suited her perfectly. She had a gift for conversation and could spend hours visiting with family, friends, and even people she had only just met. Her love of connecting with others extended beyond her hometowns and travels. Known online as "Peach" or "Peachfeathers," she formed lasting friendships with people across the country and around the world. Barbara also carried a profound love and respect for those who had gone before her. She spoke often of family members and friends she missed and kept their memories alive through stories and conversations. Her faith gave her comfort, and her family finds comfort as well in believing she has now been reunited with so many people she cherished and missed throughout the years. Barbara found joy in life's simple pleasures.

She loved birds, especially her sun conures and lovebirds.

She enjoyed crossword puzzles, computer games, Caribbean cruises, collecting sand dollars along the beach, and watching David Letterman with a bowl of ice cream. She had a special fondness for raccoons and even kept several as pets throughout the years. She never wasted a drop of coffee, happily reheating the same pot throughout the day. She was rarely seen without her lipstick and was known to reapply it before leaving the dinner table. Raised by parents who lived through the hardships of the Great Depression, Barbara learned early that life's greatest treasures could not be measured in material things. She valued family, friendship, tradition, manners, and kindness above all else. She approached life with optimism, believing that "everyone is as happy as they make up their minds to be." She was a beautiful writer whose elegant cursive reflected the care she put into everything she did. Barbara’s life included many different chapters and experiences. As a young woman, she worked at Schilling Paper and at the drive-in root beer stand, both in Galesville. Later, she and Fred operated Fred's Appliance Store in Galesville, where Barbara sold appliances and managed a gift shop. The store gave her another opportunity to do what she loved most: talk with people, build friendships, and become part of the everyday lives of those around her. No matter where she was, Barbara's greatest joy came from the connections she made with others. After retirement, Barbara spent summers working at her son Joel's Mulberry Meadows Campground in Trempealeau, Wisconsin. Whether cleaning cabins and bathrooms or visiting with campers, she quickly became a favorite among guests who appreciated her warmth and sense of humor. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Lorchen Kriesel; her sisters, Betty Heim and JoAnne Emery; her sister-in-law, Rosalie Kriesel; her nephews, Michael Heim and Peter Heim; her brothers-in-law, Curtis Heim and Richard Emery; and her lifelong best friend, Barbara Kopp.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Fred Von Haden; her children, Joel (Caroline) Von Hadenand Lorrie Iqbal; her grandchildren, Nicholas (Kati) Von Haden, Amelia Von Haden, Alicia (Dan) Suessmith, Mark (Jamie) McMurray, and Andrea McMurray; her step-grandchildren, Claire (Caleb) Schultz and Jack (Vanessa) Thimmesch; her great-grandchildren, Chloe Helms, Cohen Suessmith, Grayson Suessmith, Willa Suessmith, and Saylor McMurray; her step-great-grandchild Jonas Thimmesch; her brother, David Kriesel; and numerous cousins, extended family members, and dear friends. More than anything, Barbara will be remembered for the love she gave so freely. She was the center of our family, the keeper of traditions, the organizer of gatherings, and she taught her family the importance of staying connected and showing kindness. Her absence leaves a space that can never be filled, but the lessons she taught, the memories she created, and the love she shared will remain with us always. A small family gathering will be held in Texas, with a celebration of Barbara's life to be held in Wisconsin. Additional arrangements are being finalized.