Barbara Ann Duis, 92, passed away Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at Pleasant View Rehabilitation & Health Care Center in Morrison, IL.
Barbara was born June 12, 1932, in Sterling, IL, the daughter of Ronald O’Neil and Lynwood Norman. Parental family differences in religion, Catholic and Protestant, would deny Barbara of ever knowing her biological father.
During her childhood years Barbara and her mother lived in Clarkson, and Louisville, KY. She was raised by her mother and stepfather, George Wisenheart; maternal grandparents, William and Fannie Norman; loving aunts. Barbara always recalled the happy times in Kentucky. After the untimely passing of her stepfather, Barbara and her mother returned to the Whiteside County area.
In Rock Falls, IL, she attended public schools and was a 1950 graduate of Rock Falls High School. After graduation Barbara took a summer job at Lawrence Park Pool, where she met her future husband, Frank R. Duis. The couple were married on December 1, 1951, in Sterling. Their happy union would last until the death of Frank on August 12, 2015.
Barbara always excelled during her academic years from grade to high school. She received her teaching degree from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL, when in her mid-forties. She taught grade school for several years, first at Thome School, and finishing at Merrill School in Rock Falls in 1992. During her teaching career, she was respected and achieved many awards. Barbara prided herself on giving all her students the best education possible.
In Barbara’s retirement years she enjoyed being a homebody. She liked to maintain her flower garden and adored her many cats from early-to-later years. Barbara was a great wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Barbara is survived by her sons, Jim (Maria) Duis and Joe (Becky) Duis; granddaughter, Natalie Duis; great-granddaughters, Quinn and Kenna Amesquita; maternal cousin, Bonnie Dunn; several stepgrandchildren and great-stepgrandchilren.
Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Frank; parents; step-fathers, George Wiseheart, Gordon Neely, and Wallace Janssen, who adopted Barbara in later life. The kindness of Barbara’s many aunts will always be remembered.
A private Graveside Service will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Sterling, IL.
A memorial has been established to Beacon of Hope Hospice, 1020 W. 35th Street, Davenport, IA 52806, or Happy Tails Animal Shelter, 1408 McNeil Road, Rock Falls, IL, 61071.
Condolences may be sent to www.schillingfuneralhome.com.