Obituary
Barbara Tiona
Barbara Tiona age 82 of Onalaska Wisconsin passed away on February 27, 2023 at Mayo-Franciscan Health System in La Crosse Wisconsin after a short illness.
She was born on April 13,1940 in Stark township in Vernon County to Robert and Betty Hagen. She grew up in Viola Wisconsin and graduated from Viola High School in 1958. She then attended the University of Wisconsin – Madison where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism. After graduation she married Allen Ginsberg and they lived in several cities including Akron Ohio, Minneapolis Minnesota, and Washington DC. After Barbara and Allen divorced, she met and married Frank Tiona and they moved back to the coulee region on a farm outside Bangor. Barbara began work as the Marketing Director at Valley View Mall. After the death of her husband, she moved to Onalaska continuing with Valley View Mall until her retirement. Barbara enjoyed working with people but also loved animals and taking care of her home and flower garden. She read extensively and was active in her church, Shepherd on the Hills Lutheran Church of Onalaska.
She is survived by her sister, Tamara Hagen, of Madison Wisconsin and a special friend Charles Dahl of Onalaska Wisconsin. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.
A Memorial Service will be held to celebrate her life on Saturday April 15th at The Gathering Place 133 Mason St. in Onalaska. Visitation is from 10:00-11:00 am with a service by Pastor David Baumgarn at 11:00am. A lunch will be provided after the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to La Crosse Humane Society and Onalaska Public Library are preferred.
I will miss Barbara, a friend of more than 20 years. May she rest in peace.
Ms. Barbara was a very good friend to me for many years. We shared the same church to worship at ( Shepherd of the Hills). We.Ms. Barbara, Ms. Linda and myself, Ms.Vickie) were swimming buddies a few years back. The three of us became very close friends.
I sure am going to miss you Barbara, but I will see you again in Heaven and now you have reached your journey as you knew exactly where you were going. +++ Rest In Peace my good friend.
Barb and I met when we were children. Our parents were friends. Our friendship as adults continued for many years, although some years we didn’t see each other until she and I crossed paths at Gundersen~Lutheran Hospital when I was a volunteer in the surgery’s waiting room.. Eventually we met for luncheon with the Christian Women’s Club several times. She was gregarious, fun, and a very caring friend. May she rest in peace.
Tammy,
So sorry to hear about Barbara’s passing. Cherish your many sister memories and hold them lovingly in your heart. May God wrap you in His arms and give you His peace.
Bill and Kay (Emery) Koenitzer
Thank you Kay for your thought and condolences.
Barb was a friend of mine from back in the days when her nephew and my son played basketball together at Bangor I I remember climbing that hill in the winter, not to happily to take Chris home after games in fact often asking him to climb the hill as I was new to driving in snow. After her husband died I was happy and surprised to see her at my church. We were in evening Bible Studies together when we had them. She was a wonderful friend. I will miss her.
I just learned of Barb’s passing and I’m so very sorry to hear this news. I worked for Barb for many years at Valley View Mall. She was my mentor and friend. She groomed me to be the Marketing Director upon her retirement and I believe stuck around the mall a bit longer than she had hoped to make sure I finished my degree and was fully eligible to move into that role. We shared our deep love of dogs and many good times at the mall. I will forever remember her as a faith filled, kind and caring woman who had a part in shaping who I’ve become. Rest in peace Barb. ~ Angie