Barbara Ann Claudon Green, 93, passed away in Manitowoc, Wisconsin on July 4, 2025 following a month-long illness. She was born on June 29, 1932 in Valparaiso, Indiana to Selma Stucky and Jesse David Claudon. She graduated with a business education degree in 1952 from Indiana University Bloomington, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi. Barbara married her lifelong love, George Richard Green, at her home in Valparaiso, Indiana on September 6, 1952. They were married almost 65 years when he preceded her in death on August 9, 2017.
Barb and Dick lived in South Bend and Mishawaka, Indiana for 53 years, where he practiced general surgery. She raised their four children and contributed volunteer efforts to several local organizations, including Junior League of South Bend, South Bend Children’s Dispensary, and South Bend Medical Auxiliary. She and Dick were an inspiration and example of a loving marriage that was truly a partnership. Her family was always her most important concern. Barb and Dick moved to Sheboygan, Wisconsin in 2014 to be closer to their children. They lived at Landmark condominiums where she enjoyed the community and developed many new friendships.
Barb and Dick spent their summers at Birch Lake, Vandalia, Michigan, where they welcomed family and friends into their cottage home. For many years the family gathered at Birch on Labor Day for a weekend of fun, which always included great food, water sports and dancing. They also travelled extensively with their family and friends, notably taking the entire family to French Polynesia for their 50th wedding anniversary.
Barbara is survived by three children, Sandra Green (Geoffrey Lamb), Kathryn Pawlak (James), and George David Green (Diana), eight grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and two sisters-in-law, Joanne Knoop of South Bend, Indiana and Suzanne Parshall of Eugene, Oregon, as well as her nieces and nephews. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter, Laura Green, and her sister, Jean Stackhouse.
Barbara was a loving, devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who always put others before herself. It was a joy to spend time with Barb. She had a ready smile, a gift for listening and deeply cared for her family and friends. She loved music and passed her love of singing on to her family. During her later years she showed incredible patience and grace as she dealt with multiple physical disabilities. No matter what she encountered, she didn’t complain and made the best of her situation. Her loving spirit lives on in the close bonds of her family, and her smile will never be forgotten.
The family extends its gratitude to her caregiver and companion Kathy Steinbruecker and all of her caregivers, the staff at St. Mary’s at Felician Village in Manitowoc where she spent her last month, and to Dr. Mary Gentine who cared for Barbara during her time in Sheboygan. A celebration of life will be held by the family at Birch Lake. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Indiana University, Birch Lake Yacht Club or Camp Tannadoonah at Birch Lake, Michigan. Online condolences may be sent to Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home at info@reinboldfh.com.
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