Barbara K. Kasten

FITCHBURG - Barb Kasten, age 63, died on Sunday March 22, 2009. It was way too soon! She died from that “damned tumor” in her head, she’d been battling it since Aug. She experienced no pain and was looking forward to her new home in Heaven with Jesus. Barb’s life was jammed packed with the people she loved and with the people who loved her. She is survived by her parents, John and Jackie Kasten of West Bend; her husband, Chuck Susmilch of Fitchburg; her siblings, Toni (Bill) Bauman of West Bend, David (Marilyn) Kasten of Kewauskum; her children, Tim Fellenz of Atlanta, GA, Anne (Greg) Chism of Janesville, Jenny (Travis) Goodlund of McFarland; grandchildren, Aaron Hilgers, Carly Goodlund & Hailey Chism; nieces and nephews, Ami (Manuel de Joya) Bauman, Chris (Kristi) Bauman, Michael (Michaele) Kasten, and Craig Kasten. Barb and husband Chuck Susmilch have been hanging around with each other since 1985. Barb welcomed Chuck’s family as her own, daughter Jenny (Travis) Goodlund and granddaughter Carly. She also adopted Chuck’s Mom Henrietta and Aunt Zee and a whole host of other Susmilches, Radtkes, Striskas and Monroes. She loved her grandson, Aaron Hilgers so much that she actually went to his soccer and football games (Barb did not like sports, not even a little bit)! Up until the very end Barb loved those visits and hugs from Aaron and Carly. Barb loved life and was active a minimum of 18 hours a day. She was a CPA for Smith and Gestland, and for Williams Young. She owned the Registry Office Supply Store on Odana Rd. She held many positions at j.t.puffins on Odana Rd. (buyer, accountant, store manager (Middleton)). She was the accountant for several small area businesses. She was also an independent salesperson for over 60 toy, gift and stationery manufacturers. When she wasn’t working, she was busy raising her children, shopping, making a great home, planning family parties, planning activities with grandchildren, playing the piano, playing video games with Chuck and beating the pants off all comers in Scrabble. She did a two year stint garage sale treasure hunting and e-baying She became an excellent pianist in middle life. She took up art and sewing as well. Her cookbook collection is huge and her steak madeira, enchiladas, Swedish meatballs and pulled pork are only the best of many great recipes. Family and friend cookbooks are replete with recipes named “Barb’s ____” Barb had a voracious need for information on all topics, economics, investing, politics, decorating (to Chuck’s dismay). Barb and Chuck read the paper every morning for over 20 years. Planning travels and traveling was another of Barb’s great passions. Over the years she’s traveled extensively in the U.S., Europe, and the Caribbean. A memorial will be held at the HOSPICECARE CENTER, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg on Saturday, March 28, 2009 beginning at 3 p.m. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until the time of service. The family requests that bequests be made to HospiceCare, Inc. in lieu of flowers. You may do so by going to the HospiceCare website www.hospicecareinc.com or by calling Lacy Werner (608) 327-7164. Details of Barb’s battle with Cancer and a more complete description of her very full life can be found at http://www.bigpuffin.com/barbupdate.html.