Barbara Ann (Ronningen) Schultz, age 87, of Hudson, died peacefully Wednesday, July 25, at the Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Barbara was born on September 11, 1930, in Hammond, WI, the daughter of Carl Alvin Johan and Eugenia (Newell) Ronningen. She was raised in Hammond and Baldwin, later settling in River Falls where she graduated from River Falls High School in the class of ’48.  She would further her education at the University of Wisconsin – River Falls in English and Art, graduating in 1952.  On December 20, 1954, she was united in marriage to Willard Schultz in River Falls, WI.  Barbara taught at the elementary school in Beaver Dam, WI until 1955.  Her primary occupation after that was raising her five children, spending time with family, and making people laugh, although she did not try.  She made grand Sunday dinners every week, and everyone was welcome.  She made the best home-made bread, and no apple pie has ever matched hers.  Her hobbies included cooking, sewing, bridge or card games, bible studies, and coffee/lunch with dear friends.

Barbara was a devout Christian since about 1972. She was a member of Faith Community Church of Hudson and the Gideon auxiliary, and like Willard, she loved the opportunity for others to be introduced to their Savior Jesus Christ. She enjoyed playing the piano at church when she was younger and volunteered at Gideon’s jail ministry for female inmates.

Barbara is survived by children, Bob (Jean) Schultz of Stevens Point, Tom (Carol) Schultz of Prior Lake, Minn., Mary Martin of Hudson, Peter (Holly) Schultz of Hudson, Laura (Craig) Blichfeldt of Andover, Minn.; sister-in-law Sandy Ronningen, 12 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Willard of 55 years; her parents; her three brothers; two sisters-in-law, son-in-law Jack Martin; and precious granddaughter Sara Guinn.

Funeral service for Barbara Schultz will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 31 at Faith Community Church, 777 Carmichael Road, Hudson. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Monday, July 30 at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home, 520 S. 11th St., Hudson, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.  Burial will be at  Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Memorials that honor Barbara include the Gideon’s International (bibles in hotels, hospitals, etc.), Faith Community Church, feeding the hungry, or helping children.