On July 12, 2025, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Joan Ellen Barnard (nee De Bauche), passed away at St. Mary’s Home for the Aged at Felician Village in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
Born on April 2nd, 1932 in Green Bay, WI, Joan was 93 years old on the day of her passing. She was one of five daughters, born to Edith and Joseph De Bauche. Her sisters, Ruth Younkle and Gladys Van Kauwenberg, preceded her in death, as did her only brother Hubert, who died at a very young age. Younger sisters, Marilyn Streckenbach of Dykesville and Dorothy (Dot) Johnson of Green Bay survive her.
Joan was married to Ellsworth (Tuffy) Daniel Barnard in Green Bay, WI on July 11, 1953. Together, they had four children: Loren (Sharon) Barnard of Manitowoc, WI, Debra (Charles) Brindis of Boulder, CO, Bruce (Kim) of Brillon, WI and Cindy (Paul) Heinz of Allenton, WI.
Joan loved camping and being outdoors, especially with family and friends. In their retirement years, Joan and Tuffy, traveled in winter with her sisters and their spouses (Dot and David, Marilyn and Donald), with their mobile home in tow, to campgrounds in the south. They often met up with camping friends they’d met in previous years on these camping adventures.
Joan loved music, especially Country Western, Polka and Spiritual/Gospel songs. In her younger years, Joan sang in the choir at Redeemer Lutheran Church. To her dying day, Joan’s all time, favorite TV show was Lawrence Welk. Her kids, however, fled the room whenever mom tuned on this show.
Joan leaves behind five grandchildren: Melissa Hippert, daughter of Loren and Sharon Barnard; Eric Bundy (deceased), son of Debra (Bundy) Brindis and Charles Brindis (deceased); Chelsie Thuecks, daughter and Jared, son of Kim and Bruce Barnard; Brittany Waech, daughter and Aaron Heinz, son of Cindy and Paul Heinz.
Joan relished her seven great grandchildren: Maynard, 11, son of Melissa and Josh Hippert; Liam, 3 years and Caroline, 14 months, son and daughter of Brittany and William Waech; Wylder 8 months son of Jared and Kelsey Barnard, as well as, Bianca 8, Boston 6, Bravery 5, children of Chelsie and Jamin Thuecks. Joan leaves behind an extended family of multiple nieces and nephews.
Joan’s funeral will be Saturday, July 26th at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1712 Menasha Ave, Manitowoc, WI 54220; Pastor Jonathon Huehn, officiating. Visitation at the church will begin at 11:30 am, funeral service at 1:00 pm. Joan’s final resting place will be beside her husband, Ellsworth Barnard, at Knollwood Memorial Park (Cemetery) 1500 WI-310, Manitowoc, WI 54220.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to: “The Care Fund” at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1712 Menasha Ave, Manitowoc, WI 54220 (920) 684-3989 office@redeemermanty.com
