Barbara Ellen Vlackina

Barbara (Barb) Ellen Vlackina was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin on July 30, 1949 to Stephen and Bernice (Rosko) Vlackina. Barbara spent her early childhood in San Francisco where her father served in the military. She moved to Kenosha with her parents and younger sister, Jacalyn in 1965. Throughout her life, Barb would return to San Francisco to visit she said this was her second favorite city next to Madison, Wisconsin. In 1967, Barbara graduated from Tremper High School and went on to attend Kenosha Technical School and the University of Wisconsin Parkside. In 1970, Barb left Kenosha to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison and called that city home for the rest of her life. In the process of tackling various part-time jobs to support her education, Barbara found she had an incredible talent as a tailor and went to work in the clothing industry specializing on mens suits and bridal gowns. Over the years she worked for Prange, Yonkers, Davids Bridal and Boston Store. In her free time, Barbara was an avid UW Hockey fan (had season tickets for many years) and traveled with her group of friends to out of town games. She also loved The Beatles (especially Paul McCartney), Barry Manilow, Neil Diamond and a local group, The BoDeans. Her music collection of LPs and CDs was incredible. Besides sports and music, Barbara was a serious collector of elite dolls, Dr. Who mementos, anything Star Trek, and, of course, Beatles memorabilia. Barbaras other passion was animals, especially cats and turtles. Of all her turtles, her most favorite was probably Alfie. He started as a tiny little guy no bigger than a half dollar who could fit in her purse and would come to high school classes with us. Her beloved cats were Harold, Jazz and Monte. In her last few months, she was not concerned about anything more than finding a good home for Monte. Thankfully we were able to fulfill that wish with the help of the Humane Society. Barbara is survived by her beloved cat Monte, her mother, Bernice Vlackina, Kenosha, her sister, Jacalyn, also Kenosha, her best friends, Carol Stiff of Brush Prairie, Washington, and Donna Gehin of Belleville, Wisconsin, and her niece Jennica Stiff of Palouse, WA. Barb has always been especially fond of Jennica and was glad to be called Aunt Barb. She would always send birthday cards and hang out with Jenn when we shopped the antique stores or went to the zoo or just went down to the lake front to watch the ducks. Barb was a wonderful person, and we are all lucky to have known her. I (Carol) am glad she was my friend these past 50 years, and that I was able to be there for her these past 3 years when the medical problems started and she needed help. We were roommates back in college and we ended up roommates during her last 3 weeks. Although she had some breathing problems at the end, she was not in pain and died peacefully in her sleep. Barb was not alone. Donna visited her in the hospital during the day, and Carol stayed with her every night at nursing home. She said it was lonely in the evenings and mornings plus she wanted her coffee by 6 am and they did not serve until 8:30 am. On the night before her last night, she wanted coffee at 3 am!! She was feisty until the end always fun to be around that was our Barbara!!. When asked about her bucket list, Barb said she did not have one. Barb said she was happy with her life and had no regrets. She got to travel much and lived on her own terms the way she wanted. She will be missed. Barbara requested no funeral or flowers. Her ashes will be buried in Kenosha at Sunset Ridge Cemetery. Donations to the Dane County Humane Society, in Barbs name, would be appreciated as they helped Barb through the adoption process for both Jazz and Monte. Submitted by Carol Stiff, Brush Prairie, WA. kck@turbonet.com www.kitchenculturekit.com/Barb.aspx All Faiths Funeral & Cremation Services Madison (608)442-0477 www.866allfaiths.com