Barbra J. (Geimer) Stiefvater

Barbra J. Stiefvater, age 86, of Manitowoc died Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at Riverwoods Place Assisted Living in Manitowoc.

Barbra was born on October 14, 1935, to the late Charles and Emma (Schwarzenbart) Geimer in Cooperstown. She grew up on the family farm with two older brothers. Barbra attended Cooperstown District #1 Elementary School through the 8th grade and graduated from Denmark High School with honors in 1953. Even as a young child, it was always Barbra’s dream to become a nurse. She attended Holy Family School of Nursing in Manitowoc, graduating in 1956. Barbra then spent the next 40 years employed as a Registered Nurse, seven years at Holy Family Hospital in Manitowoc, and 33 years at the Two Rivers Community Hospital.

Barbra married Clement Alois Stiefvater at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Manitowoc on July 12, 1958. They shared 49 years of married life together until Clem’s death on July 21, 2007. Barbra was a certified CPR Instructor for the American Heart Association for many years and also a poll worker for the City of Two Rivers. Barbra enjoyed walking, reading, and was a diehard Green Bay Packer fan. Following Clem’s death, she and her beloved golden retriever, Hero, spent countless hours at the Two Rivers dog park.

Survivors include three daughters: Vicki L. Swingle, Odenton, MD, Lynn A. Kalista, Manitowoc, and her special friend Tom Surfus, Lori L. Stiefvater, Two Rivers; two grandchildren: Sarah J. (Adam) McDermott, Odenton, MD, Megan E. (aka: Morgan) Stiefvater, Platteville; one great-grandson: Tommy McDermott, one great-granddaughter: Robin McDermott both of Odenton, MD; Barbra’s special friend Jerry Hoefner, Manitowoc; one sister-in-law: Daranee Geimer, CA.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Clem, she was preceded in death by: two sons-in-law: Jeffrey Kalista, Paul Zinn; two brothers and one sister-in-law: Thomas (Delores) Geimer, James F. Geimer; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law include: Margaret (Clem) Weber, Isabel (Edward) Lindner, Loretta A. Stiefvater, Adeline M. Stiefvater, Lawrence (Verna) Stiefvater, Herbert (Gwen) Stiefvater, Anthony (Aurelia) Stiefvater, Bernard (Ethel) Stiefvater, Frank Stiefvater, Louis Stiefvater, John (Marian) Stiefvater, Jeanette (Gaylord) Stebnitz, and Richard (Cheri) Stiefvater. She was most certainly greeted at the Rainbow Bridge with Hero leading the pack.

A Memorial Service will be held at 6:00 PM on Sunday, July 24, 2022, at the Klein & Stangel Funeral Home, 1420 22nd Street, Two Rivers. The Deacon Paul Gleichner will officiate with entombment of her cremated remains at a later date at the Knollwood Mausoleum. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 3:00 PM until the time of service at 6:00 PM. The Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Klein & Stangel Two Rivers location, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com

The family would like to thank Sharon S. Richardson Hospice and the staff at Riverwood’s Place especially: Becky, Rachel, Jesse, and Tim for their compassionate care shown to Mom. Vicki, Lynn, and Lori would also like to thank Jerry for making the last four years of Mom’s life special and showing us that you’re never too old to find love again, even when you’re not looking.

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