Obituary

Barbara Jean (Mahlum) Seidel

March 21, 2021 | 23 comments

Barbara Jean (Mahlum) Seidel, 77 of La Crosse, passed away surrounded by her loving family on March 19, 2021.

She was born on June 12, 1943 in La Crosse to Elmer and Vivian (Borchert) Mahlum. She graduated from Holmen High School in 1962.

She married Kenneth H. Seidel, Sr. on February 22, 1964 at Lewis Valley Lutheran Church where she was also baptized and confirmed. They later had 3 children.

Barbara was employed with La Crosse Footwear/Rubber Mills for 32 years until her retirement, where she worked as a gum cutter and then as a Supervisor until her retirement. Barbara moved to Tennessee and worked at Electrolux for 10 years, as well as Dollar General until she moved back to Wisconsin.

Barbara was an avid race car fan. She enjoyed watching her brothers Paul, Robert, and Larry race at the La Crosse Speedway for many years which led into watching NASCAR racing-especially her favorite driver, Dale Earnhardt.

Barbara enjoyed making her favorite Norwegian treats of sandbakkels, krumkake, and rosettes around the holidays with her daughters which was always a family tradition in the early years.

Barbara loved spending time with family most of all. Just receiving a phone call to catch up and see how everything is going had made her day.

Barbara is survived by her children, Kenneth H. Seidel Jr. (Josie), Jacqueline D. Garcia (Juan), and Bonnie J. Knipe (Jason), her 5 grandchildren-Dustin, Dylan, Jeremy, Austin, and Isaac, her great grandson Noah, her sisters Nancy Spangler and Ruth (Chuck) Schwabenbauer, her brothers Paul (Katy) Mahlum and James Mahlum, along with many nieces, nephews, brothers-in-laws and sisters-in-laws.

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents Vivian (Borchert) Mahlum and Elmer Mahlum, husband Kenneth H. Seidel, Sr., great grandsons Dimitri and Ryan Seidel and sister Mary Lou Seidel, brothers Ronald Mahlum, Donald Mahlum, Robert Mahlum Sr, Merlin Mahlum, Larry Mahlum, and Jeffrey Mahlum.

The family would like to thank Mayo Clinic Health System Hospice staff and a special thank you for all the compassion and support for mom from Heather.

A memorial and burial service will be held on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 11:30 am at Lewis Valley Lutheran Church Cemetery – W5402 County Road V, Holmen, WI.

Memorials and flowers can be sent to: 2534 Bainbridge Street, La Crosse, WI 54603

In case of rain, memorial and burial service will move to April 24, 2021.

Condolences

23 Comments

Kathy Schultz on March 21, 2021 at 6:46 pm

So very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kathy Schultz
Helen Schultz
- Bonnie on March 28, 2021 at 2:07 pm
  
  Thank you Helen and Kathy
Jill McDonah on March 22, 2021 at 9:59 am

Ken and family ~ I am so sorry for your loss. Your mother/grandmother sounds like she was a wonderful, loving person. My prayers and thoughts are with you during your time of sorrow.

Sincerely,
Jill McDonah
- Bonnie on March 28, 2021 at 2:35 pm
  
  Thank you Jill for the kind words. Even though she is no longer hurting she will be deeply missed by my sisters and myself.
  Ken
Alice Obert on March 22, 2021 at 10:25 am

So sorry for your loss, prayers fot the family. Barb was a very good friend
- Bonnie on March 28, 2021 at 2:10 pm
  
  Thank you Alice,
  Mom had always valued your friendship
Avrie on March 22, 2021 at 10:46 am

Bonnie and Jason ~ So sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and your family and prayers for strength during this difficult time.
- Bonnie on March 28, 2021 at 2:11 pm
  
  Thank you Avrie
Helen Boucher on March 22, 2021 at 2:05 pm

Oh I’m so sorry. Hugs to you all. She was a great Gal.??
- Bonnie on March 28, 2021 at 2:13 pm
  
  Thank You Helen, hugs is what we need
Ronnie Seidel on March 23, 2021 at 3:18 pm

So very sorry for your loss. Our condolences to family.
- Bonnie on March 28, 2021 at 2:15 pm
  
  Thank you uncle Ronnie
Lynette Neumann on March 23, 2021 at 6:05 pm

Bonnie, My thoughts and prayers are with you, family and friends. I am so sorry.
- Bonnie on March 28, 2021 at 2:16 pm
  
  Thank you for the prayers Lynette
Richard Cornell on March 23, 2021 at 6:14 pm

sorry for the lost of Barb,to family and the Mahlum family your old neighbor blondie Farnam,hugs to all.
- Bonnie on March 28, 2021 at 2:16 pm
  
  Thank YOu
Sharon Pfaff on March 24, 2021 at 10:16 am

So sorry for your loss. Sharon Severson Pfaff
- Bonnie on March 28, 2021 at 2:17 pm
  
  Thank You
Victoria Seidel on March 25, 2021 at 5:06 am

We are so sorry to hear of Aunt Barbs passing, I always enjoyed seeing her on Facebook I enjoyed all her beautiful family memories she shared in photos. I know she missed loved ones who had passed through the years and hope her family feels comfort in knowing she is with those Angels once again in heavenly peace.
My family will keep you all in our prayers.
Love and Hugs
Victoria Seidel Salituro and family.
- Bonnie on March 28, 2021 at 2:19 pm
  
  Thank you Vickie,
  Mom always loved looking at your pictures and enjoyed keeping in touch with your mom
Glen and Elaine Gran on March 26, 2021 at 2:27 pm

So sorry for your loss! Barbara was a good neighbor and friend and also a good co-worker of mine(Elaine) at La Crosse Footwear! Her love and her smile will be missed!
- Bonnie on March 28, 2021 at 2:22 pm
  
  Thank you Elaine, we will have our memories from visiting you guys at Footwear and you are so right about her smile and and her heart was so huge with love for everyone. We will miss her so much
Pat McHugh on April 11, 2021 at 6:45 am

Ruth and all loved ones-
I just saw the obituary that Barb had passed. My prayers are with all of you and with Barb. May she be enjoying
Eternal life.

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