Barbara Slowiak

Barbara LaMarche Slowiak

October 7, 1959 to November 2, 2025

I was born in Stanley, Wisconsin, to Vernon and Fern (Nitz) LaMarche, the ninth of twelve children. I was a tomboy raised on a dairy farm, loving the outdoors and all the animals. When I was 18, I married my husband Clarence, the neighbor boy who lived two side roads to the east. Yes, we had a dairy farm. We raised four awesome children together. I had a few off-farm jobs when needed, usually in customer service. I very much enjoyed waiting on customers, and I hope it showed.

When we sold the cows, I worked at LaGrander's Hillside Dairy for many years (great bosses, better cheese!), where I made many good friends. My last place of employment was the Express Mart in Stanley, where I once again loved my customers and made more very good friends.

In 2021, cancer ended my working career, and I did the usual treatments. In Spring 2025, it returned in a very angry and aggressive form. I decided to go against the norm and let nature take its course. Sometimes you have to do it your own way. Special thanks to my husband for supporting me with this and being there every step of the way.

I loved animals, rainbows, snowmen, picking up rocks, painting rocks, and pumpkins. I also enjoyed cooking and baking for my family and friends, children and their partners, grandchildren, my mom, my brothers and sisters, and many, many nieces and nephews.

It was greatly instilled in me that if I had a job to do, then do it fast and do a little more than necessary.

I was preceded in death by my father Vernon LaMarche, sister Carol LaMarche in infancy, sister Sharon Schreck, nephews Christopher Slowiak, Kirby Peterson, and John Schreck, sister-in-law Patti LaMarche, and Clarence's parents Louis and Sally Slowiak.

I am survived by my husband Clarence, daughter Dana Slowiak Bloedorn (Dean Bloedorn with Samantha (Kyle) Annen, Jamie (Dan) Breunig, Brittany (Bobby) Rewolinski and their families), Doug Slowiak (Andrea Slowiak with Leo and Lucy), Jeff Slowiak (Brittany Humfeld with Dante, Carsen, Blake, McKenna, Madlyn), and John Slowiak (Elena Marquez with Vincent).

I am also survived by my mom Fern LaMarche and my siblings and their families, including Dianne (Buzz) Halterman, Linda (Bob) Eslinger, Rita (Al) Lazalde, Ronnie LaMarche, Billy (Brenda) LaMarche, Ricky (Cheryl) LaMarche, Robert LaMarche (Davalyn Meinen), Donna (Stan) Warminski, and Debbie (Dave) Sorenson and their families, along with my sister Sharon's children. Also surviving are Clarence's siblings Father Alan Slowiak, Bernie (Linda) Slowiak, Mary (John) Snider, Chris (Gary) Almberg, Dean (Donna) Slowiak and their families, along with Brenda Eichelt, Lynn Gilberts, and Kamden.

I choose not to have a funeral or service. Instead of flowers or other gifts, donations can be made to the D.R. Moon Memorial Library in Stanley, Wisconsin.