Barbara L. Romanzak
Barbara (Bobbie) Ebersold Phillips Romanzak passed away peacefully on October 10, 2015 at the American Lutheran Home in Menomonie, WI.
She was an intelligent, strong, outgoing and caring women. Her compassion shown to others was amazing as she could make friends out of strangers in a matter of minutes. She loved to go dancing, laugh, socialize, drink coffee, play golf, go fishing, play games or cards, and was always up for trying new things. She liked the color green but loved pink even more. You would not often see her without her hair done, her face powdered, her lipstick on and her nails painted a pink, sparkly color. She would also try to always have a rain bonnet with her. Once, when she was grocery shopping with one of her granddaughters it was raining and she did not have one. To the granddaughter's surprise, Grandma put a plastic grocery bag on top of her head. She was a lover of sweets, even known to grab the last cookie off a passing tray while asleep. If you had to ask her family for one word that would describe her, it would be sassy. She was loved by all who knew her.
Barbara was born in Union Star, Missouri to Maxine and Galen Ebersold on July 31, 1927. She grew up on the family farm. She was quite a tomboy, always trying to keep up with her brothers. After graduating high school in Union Star, she attended nursing school at Missouri Methodist Medical Center in the Army-Navy Cadet Corp program Nursing School in St. Joseph, MO and became a Registered Nurse. Her first husband was in the Army. That provided them the opportunity to live in many places in the United States. In the early 1960’s, she moved to St. Paul Park, Minnesota. She went to anesthesia school and became a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in Minnesota. When she retired, she split her time between Lake Vermillion in northern Minnesota and Florida. Eventually, she came to reside in Fort Meade, Florida. Her first husband died in June, 1992. Four years later, she was fortunate enough to meet and marry her loving second husband. He died in October, 2005. She moved to Menomonie, Wisconsin in 2010 to be closer to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Barbara is survived by daughters, Barb Onken (Wayne) of St. Cloud, MN, Laura Phillips (Duane Kimball) of Minneapolis, MN, Terry Staupe (Steven) of Menomonie, WI: sister, Hazel Whorton (Jay) of St. Joseph, MO: brother, Stanley Ebersold (Ruth Ann) of Trenton, MO: sister-in-law, Betty Ebersold; Grandchildren; Lisa Clark, Andrea Wallace (Richard), Amanda Johnson (Blake), Ryan Staupe (Jenab Bhatia), Rachael Staupe, Rebecca Staupe, Michelle Hendrickson, Kristen Smith (Scott): Step Grandchildren: Helena Ruf (Daniel), Lynn Solberg (Brian), Ross Romanzak (Janet): eight Great-Grandchildren (two more on the way), one Great-Great-Grandchild: five Step Grandchildren: two Step Great-Grandchildren: Many loving nieces and nephews and an abundance of friends across the country.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father, brother Kenton Ebersold, brother Dale Ebersold and his wife, Francis Ebersold, first husband Edward “Bud” Phillips and second husband Steven Romanzak.
The funeral will be held on October 24, 2015 at 11:00 AM at Orchid Christian Church in Union Star, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Memorials will be used as a nursing scholarship for a student from Union Star High School.
For you mom, from your daughters:
“Our minds still talk to you. Our hearts still look for you. Our souls know you are at peace.” Anonymous