Barbara (Bonnie) J. Mader, 88, of Onalaska passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at Lakeview Health Center surrounded by family.

She was born in Chippewa Falls, WI on December 22, 1932, to Arthur Milliren and Marie Saley.  She attended Logan High School in La Crosse, WI.  Barb married Warren Thompson and together they had three children (Diane, Mike and Tim).  Tragically, Barb was widowed at a young age. She later married Ed Goldbeck and together they had two children (Lori and Karl).  Later in life, Barb married John Mader.

Barb was famous for her homemade bread which she shared with her family, friends and neighbors. Many friends and loved ones have fond memories of walking into Barb’s home and smelling (and then enjoying) her fresh baked bread. She was an amazing cook, and baked the best desserts. She had a way of making everything she cooked/baked special and impossible to duplicate.

Barb worked for Grandview Hospital and Auto Lite in La Crosse, WI.  She also provided foster care for several adults with disabilities – making them all feel like family any time they visited her home.  Her most treasured role in life was raising her children, spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren and providing a loving, immaculate, home for her loved ones to enjoy visiting.

There’s no doubt Barb did it all, and she did it with grace, heart and undeniable class.

Barb is survived by four of her children Mike (Jennifer) Thompson of Westby, WI, and Tim (Gloria) Thompson, Lori (Barry) Taylor and Karl (Pam) Goldbeck of Onalaska, WI.   She is further survived by grandchildren Chris Langve, Travis (April Judd) Thompson, Jaime Moss, Alex Thompson, Austin Thompson, Ashley (Darin) McClendon, Kyle (Brandy McClendon) Newman, Josh (Shaylyn Franke) Goldbeck, Matt Goldbeck and Nick Goldbeck. Barb is also survived by great-grandchildren Holly, Matthew, Isaac, Aleena, Mia, Ashton, Aliyah and Karter, her sister Jan Mahoney, sister-in-law Marge Milliren, many treasured nieces and nephews and her best friend Marcia Dobson.

Barb was preceded in death by her father (Arthur Milliren), mother (Marie Saley), step-mother (Catherine Milliren), brother (JB Milliren), daughter (Diane Dunder (Langve)), Warren Thompson, Ed Goldbeck, John Mader, foster-daughter Jeanne Elkins and special friend Lloyd Severson.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, June 28, 2021, at the Coulee Region Cremation Group, 133 Mason St. Onalaska WI.  Visitation will be from 5-6:30 p.m. with a service from 6:30-7 p.m (dinner to follow, on-site).

A sincere thank you to everyone at Eagle Crest North (most especially to Andi) and Lakeview Health Center for sharing their hearts, time and energy so graciously with Barb and the entire family. Your compassion was remarkable and unprecedented. Her family will be forever grateful.