Barbara A. Santas, age 84 years, of rural Wonewoc, Wisconsin, passed away on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on October 4, 1939 in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, the daughter of Walter and Pearl (Stittleburg) Phillipi. Barbara was united in marriage to Donovan Santas on June 27, 1959 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hillsboro.
Barbara graduated from the Hillsboro High School in 1957, received her teaching degree from the Normal School at Richland Center, obtained her special education license from Milwaukee and her Master’s Degree from UW La Crosse.
Barbara started her teaching career at the Hofmeister School in the Town of Wonewoc, then worked in the Wonewoc, Valton and Hillsboro School Districts, a total of 40 years of teaching. She was a phenomenal teacher with several years in special education and elementary school.
Her family was very important to her and she retired to provide child care to her grandchildren and later volunteering in the Lutheran Schools in Wonewoc and Columbus.
Barbara also enjoyed her flowers and gardening. Donovan and her also enjoyed traveling together, they were able to make trips to Hawaii, Alaska and Ireland among other places.
Faith was also of great importance to Barbara; she was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and made sure her children attended school at St. Paul’s in Wonewoc and later supported their secondary education choices.
Survivors include her husband, Donovan Santas; daughters, Susan (Jeff) Missall of Rio and Amy (Philipp Mueller) Santas of New Concord, Ohio; son, Donovan (Dana) Santas of Bow, New Hampshire; grandchildren, Jesse, Brandy, Erin, Micah, Jillian, Luke, Bennett, Amanda and Ryan; great grandchildren, Daphne, Liam, Nolan and Kaden and in-laws, Gladys Santas, Jean (Gordon) Stittleburg and Sandra Santas.
She was preceded in death by her Parents; son, Steven Santas and brother, James Phillippi.
Memorial Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hillsboro, with Rev. Jacob Limpert officiating. Interment will be in the Mount Vernon Cemetery in Hillsboro. A time of visitation will be at the Church on Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m.
The Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro is assisting, for online information go to www.pichafuneralhomes.com
