Barbara "Barb" J. Wilde

Barbara Jean (Lerch) Wilde, 77, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at Mount View Care Center, Wausau.

Barb was born July 6, 1947, to Elroy and Adeline (Poeske) Lerch in Wausau, Wisconsin.  She was raised and lived in the Wausau area her entire life.

She graduated from DC Everest High School in 1965.  Barb was employed in Wausau by the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, Runkel Abstract and Title Company and the Federal Land Bank.

Barb took pride in her flowers, gardening, decorating her yard, feeding the birds and enjoyed taking trips to the casino.  Christmas was special for her because she decorated her Christmas tree with hand blown glass ornaments.  A trip to the thrift store to find jewelry and keepsakes was a day well spent.  She loved anything that included butterflies and had butterflies throughout her wardrobe and home.  Barb had a generous heart and was concerned about others.

Throughout her childhood, she was known as one of the five “Lerch” girls and we will miss Barb deeply.

Barb fell in love with Rodney Wilde and married him on September 3, 1989.  They celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary this past year.  Others often told them, “You are so much alike and such a nice couple.”

Survivors include her husband, Rodney; sisters, Kathleen (J. Stephen) Malan, ID, Diane (Gary) Schmidtke, WI, Patricia (Edward) Hess, MN, and Karen (Christopher) LeSage, WI, brother-in-law, Russell (Judy) Wilde, WI, sister-in-law, Carol Matysik, MN, numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved spending time with.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her in-laws, Harvey and Veren (Krieg) Wilde.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 700 W. Bridge St., Wausau.  Rev. Allan Slowiak will preside.  Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau.  Visitation will be Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service all at the church.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com