Barbara Loritz

Barbara Jo Loritz, 80, was welcomed into Jesus’ loving embrace on Thursday, October 24, 2024. Her family, including her husband Gerald and her five children, were blessed to be with her at her home when she took her final breath. The former Barbara Jo Vandeveld was born on November 24, 1943 to the late Joseph Daniel Vandeveld and Maxine Chase Vandeveld.

She attended St. Matthew Grade School and Green Bay East High School, graduating in 1962. She continued her education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, graduating with a degree in Medical Technology in 1966. 

Barb married her husband, Gerald, on May 13, 1967. She met Jerry during her third year of college and they were blessed to celebrate 57 years of marriage. Their marriage was a shining example for all of her children and grandchildren. The care that Jerry showed Barb during her final years was a true testament to their devotion to each other. It was obvious how much they loved each other as they laughed together and navigated life’s many joys and challenges. Jerry and Barb enjoyed spending time together reading, doing The New York Times crossword, talking politics, raising their children, traveling, and spending as much time as possible at their family cottage. 

Barb worked at St. Vincent Hospital for several years before deciding to stay home full-time to raise her family. Throughout her life, Barb’s family and her faith were at the center of her life. She was always thinking of and praying for others. As her children would pull out of the driveway after a weekend at the family cottage, they would look in their rearview mirrors to see Barb raising her hand in a blessing for them to have safe travels. She was their direct connection to God, and they always knew she was praying for them. Barb had such a gift for listening and for empathy for her family members, friends, and even people whom she had just met. In a world with too much noise, she was a quiet, soft-spoken presence, yet when she spoke, her words were deeply impactful. Barb was incredibly well-read in many subject areas and was humble about her great intellect. As a child, she found joy in swinging on the swingset that her dad made, and that joy continued into adulthood, as she would swing on the swingset at the family cottage with her grandchildren. 

Barb was a life-long member of St. Matthew Parish and truly felt at home with her church family. St. Matt’s was at the center of many of her life experiences, as it was there that she attended elementary school, married, led the religious education program for a few years, and was involved in Stephen Ministry, RCIA, and Bible Study. In addition to being an active member, she was proud to celebrate many baptisms, First Communions, confirmations and weddings there.  

Barb’s hobbies included spending many hours in her gardens, painting, making jigsaw puzzles, reading and watching the birds while praying each morning. She frequently underlined and saved articles for her family members to read, and it was unusual to visit her without coming away with an article or two. She especially loved reading to her children and grandchildren and spending weekends at her beloved shack on the Bay and later at the family cottage on Chute Pond. 

Barb took great pride in her homemaking, cleaning, cooking, and caring for her children. She held herself to a high standard and impressed everyone with the delicious meals that she made every night, the spotless home that she kept, the delicious variety of baked goods she created, especially for holidays, and the countless hours that she spent tending to her five children and husband. 

Barb passed away peacefully at her home, while being hugged by her husband and five children. It was a beautiful, sunny day, with several ducks on the pond outside her window, and a light wind blowing through the colorful autumn leaves. She went to meet Jesus just a few short minutes after being blessed and prayed over by Deacon Bob Hornacek, and it was as though she had been waiting for such a heartfelt, loving and spiritual blessing. One of her most beloved songs, especially during her last years, was Amazing Grace by Il Divo. She typically listened to music quietly, but whenever this song came on, she turned it up loudly and sang along as best she could. Barb truly was amazing grace personified. 

Survivors include her husband, Gerald Charles Loritz, five children, Nancy (Timothy) Windingstad, Karla (David) Spika, Christina (Scott) Pigeon, Benjamin (Courtney) Loritz, and Katherine (Douglas) Nimke; 14 grandchildren, Tyler and Jason Windingstad; Samuel, Andrew and Luke Spika; Jonah, Emma, Sarah and Michael Pigeon; Maxine and Charles Loritz; Henry and Thomas Franklin and Theodore Nimke; one sister, Carol (James) Weber, and one brother, Paul Vandeveld. Additional survivors include in-laws, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

She was preceded in death by her parents Joseph Daniel Vandeveld and Maxine Chase Vandeveld, in-laws Carlos Loritz and Lorraine Loritz, and one grandson, Matthew Thomas Pigeon. 

Friends and family may call at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 130 St. Matthews Street, Green Bay from 4p.m. until 7p.m. on Sunday, October 27. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Matthew Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 28 with Rev. Bob Kabat officiating. Burial to follow at Allouez Chapel Mausoleum. 

The family would like to extend many heartfelt thanks to the Unity Hospice team of, Rabihah, Amy, and Scott and to Unity Care Companions Sam, Kristi, Jen P. and Jen B. We would especially like to thank Michelle, who has provided comfort and support to our entire family throughout the past few months.