Barbara A. Van Ness

PORTAGE  -- Barbara A. Van Ness, age 76, of Portage, went to be with her Lord on Monday, April 5, 2010, at Divine Savior Healthcare in Portage, surrounded by her family.

Barbara was born on July 8, 1933, in Mt. Horeb, the daughter of Burrell and Clara Eveland.    Barbara moved to Madison with her family as a young girl.  There she graduated from Madison West High School. After high school she worked at the Wisconsin State Journal, in downtown Madison.  She met her future husband at a dance.  She married Jan Richmond Van Ness on July 31, 1954.  Barbara went from being a very city girl to being a country girl in one day.  She lived with her husband and family in Lodi, Madison, Janesville, and Portage.  While raising her family she worked at Divine Savior Hospital and Nursing Home.  She was a member of Portage United Methodist Church.

Barbara is survived by her children; Reed (Mary) Van Ness, Sheboygan, Randy (Zandria) Van Ness, Portage, Jennifer Van Ness, Portage; her grandchildren, Heather (David) Damkot, Jessica (Jeff) Mentink, and Melissa (Chad) Mentink; her great-grandchildren, Paul and Annika Damkot, Devyn and Gavyn Mentink, and Mason and Paige Mentink; her sister Mary Bredeson, Leeds; her sister-in-law, Barbara Eveland, Madison, and her brother-in-law, Ed Grosinski, MS, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.  Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Jan, her brothers, Burrell, and Art, and her sister, Loretta.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 10, 2010, at Portage United Methodist Church, with Pastor Tom Countryman officiating.  Burial will be held on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. in Garden Bluff Cemetery, in West Point Township.  Visitation will be held on Saturday, at the church, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the services.

A Memorial has been established in Barbara’s name.

The Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.  www.pmmfh.com