At peace and with family close at hand, Barbara Ann Gruber, born September 14, 1945, died after a valiant five-year battle with cancer August 10, 2025, aged 79.
The oldest of four children, Barbara Frisch was born in Flushing Meadows, New York, where her father was an FBI agent. Following a family move, Barbara was raised in Milwaukee, where her father established a law practice. She graduated in 1963 from Milwaukee Holy Angels Academy High School and spent one year at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
In 1964, Barbara’s first date with Paul Gruber of Baraboo, Wisconsin, was at Road America, and it began a loving relationship that resulted in marriage in 1967. That same year, Barbara accompanied Paul on his Air Force deployment to Tripoli, Libya, where he was serving as a commissioned officer. They returned to the United States in 1969 to settle in Sheboygan, where Paul, a dentist trained at Marquette University, established his practice with Barbara’s essential and capable support. This was the beginning of more than five decades in Sheboygan, raising three exceptional children and enjoying their nine grandchildren.
Barbara Gruber’s life was one of service, to her family, her community, and to those most in need. Barbara served on the board of directors for: Deland Foundation; Sheboygan Red Cross; Sheboygan County YMCA; Camp Evergreen; John Michael Kohler Arts Center; Sheboygan Service Club (president); Town and Country Garden Club; and the Mead Public Library Foundation. She was the recipient of the Auxiliary to the American Dental Association National Award.
A devout Catholic, Barbara served on the St. Clement Church board and sang in the choir.
She faced her 2020 cancer diagnosis and treatment with the graceful fortitude and stubborn resolve that she’d used in life to great effect in whatever she undertook. And the family that she had prepared for life so well was there to support her in her journey.
As a force of gravity at the center of her family’s life, growth, activity, and memory-making, Barbara was a profoundly powerful celestial body. Just as with the heavens, so much was seen and so much more went unseen, and continues to positively affect the lives and relationships of her children and grandchildren.
Even in the face of her great sense of duty, propriety, procedure, and tact, Barbara appreciated a good laugh and a bourbon old fashioned. She enjoyed tennis, bridge, was a stellar entertainer and cook, and maintained a beautiful garden. Behind her smile and the sense of fun she expressed at a card table or playing games with family was a master strategist never to be underestimated.
She enjoyed her friends across the many facets of her community service and hobbies, but most of all she loved her grandchildren and supporting their events and growth in life across generations. As her husband of 58 years Paul noted, “She inspired our children and grandchildren to be the best they could be through modeling that behavior herself.”
Her family was asked to contribute words and phrases that meaningfully described some of Barbara’s qualities. They responded with: helping others, energy, trustworthy, mentor, organized, loving, fair, stubborn (“I’m easy”), making sure everyone was having fun, continuity, knowledge, vitality, and commitment.
If there was ever a doubt that there is homemade dessert in the afterlife, you can lay those doubts to rest.
Barbara was preceded in death by John Boniface Frisch (father), Ruth Frisch (mother), and Katherine Garton (sister). She is survived by Paul Gruber, John Frisch Jr. (brother), Margaret Sandy (sister), Lisa Brezonik (daughter; Nick Brezonik/son-in-law), John Gruber (son; Margaret Gruber, daughter-in-law), Jennifer Hoyer (daughter; Mark Hoyer, son-in-law) and grandchildren: Sarah Brezonik, Joe Brezonik, Billy Brezonik, Niko Brezonik, Caroline Gruber, Lucy Gruber, Emmett Gruber, Ian Hoyer and Tommy Gruber.
Services: Visitation Saturday, August 16, 9-11 a.m. at St. Clement Church. Followed by Mass at 11 a.m. and a Celebration of Life.
Memorial Donations: In lieu of flowers, donations on Barbara’s behalf to the Sheboygan County YMCA, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, or Camp Evergreen would be greatly appreciated.
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