H. Barbara Schmoeckel

Professional Visual Artist, H. Barbara Schmoeckel passed away early Monday morning, January 2, 2017. She led a life full of creativity and devotion. Born Helen Barbara Jaske, January 16, 1929, H. Barbara was raised during the Great Depression and WWII. As a teen, she attended Layton School of Art in Milwaukee, walking miles to get to her art classes. After graduation from Mercy High School in 1946, she married Rueben C. Schmoeckel and began, as she would refer to her "creative sculpture phase." H. Barbara and Reuben had eight children together, Cindy Lee, Linda Jablonski, Mary Baumann, Sharon (Roger) Lewicki, and Joseph (Judy) Schmoeckel, Kathleen (Yechiel) Kleen and Karen (Bob) Reinecke. She is further survived by 16 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Nancy Schmoeckel and two sons-in-law, Gary Jablonski and Art Baumann. Her professional career began with employment at Alverno College as a Graphic Designer proceeding her graduation with a Bachelor of Arts in 1975. For 20 years, she made her living employed as an Art Illustrator for the State of Wisconsin, Marathon County Library System. As an accommpolished artist, H. Barbara was a founding member of Wisconsin Women in the Arts. She attended numerous art festivals and received various art awards throughout her life, as recently as a year ago, 2nd place at the Juried Alverno Alumni Art Show. As an 80th birthday celebration, she had a one women show at the Wausau Festival of the Arts. After retirement, she continued serving her community, seeking out spiritual avenues of education and expression. Recently, H. Barbara was honored with the "In My Name" Award presented by Bishop William Callahan, Director of Catholic Charities for her decades of service as a Core Member of the Jubilee House with Father Parr. H. Barbara was active for many years in the St. Matthew Choir, Polanki Polish Women's Cultural Club, as a 4-H Leader and Catholic War Veteran Women's Auxiliary. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Thursday, January 5, 2017 at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Wausau. Burial will be in Mechanic's Ridge Cemetery, Nutterville. Visitation will be Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue, Wausau and again on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com