Barbara Hoehn

Barbara A. Hoehn was a generous, fun-loving woman with an unforgettable sense of humor that endeared her to all. She was vibrant and caring and remained deeply committed to her family throughout her life. With her amazingly devoted husband by her side, Barbara loved to experience and appreciate the world around her - whether it was on one of their many travels or just traipsing through nature. She did many things in her life, all of which shaped her into the person her family and friends loved dearly.

After the end of World War II in 1945, America was establishing a new normal as manufacturing shifted to meet peacetime needs and countless young servicemen and women returned home to resume their lives they set aside while serving overseas. It was amidst this time of new beginnings that Harold and Winifred (Story) Burr celebrated the newest addition to their family with the birth of their daughter, Barbara, on November 14, 1945, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Along with her older sister, Ann, Barbara was raised in their family home in Portage and attended the area schools. She and her sister participated in Girl Scouts and their mom was their Scout Leader.

Barbara met the love of her life, Arnold “Arn” Hoehn, while in high school. He attended Mattawan High School and was a year older, but they actually met through their church, Jehovah Witness Kingdom Hall. It wasn’t long before the two were sweethearts, and Barbara was riding on the back of Arn’s motorcycle as they went back and forth between Portage and Mattawan to see each other. He liked to drive fast, but Barbara always felt safe holding on to him. Hopelessly in love, Arn asked Barbara to be his wife while she was still in school, and shortly after she graduated from Portage Central and her 18th birthday, they were married on November 23, 1963, in the Jehovah Witness Hall in Paw Paw. After saying “I do,” the happy couple settled into married life together in Mattawan on a piece of land Arn’s family gave them from their farm. Here they had some horses and chickens, and soon three beautiful children to keep them busy – Tony, Brian and Julie.

It was easy to see that Barbara found great joy in caring for her husband and children. She was active in the lives of her children while also creating a home where love was plentiful. The house was always spotless (Arn called her Miss Clean) and a hot homemade meal was always on the table when Arn came home from his job as a salesman at Borroughs. When their youngest, Julie, was 10, they built a bigger house on the farm, where many more wonderful memories were spent as a family. Soon after they were settled into the new house, Barbara went to work at Gilmore’s Department Store in the Home Interiors. She had quite a flair and talent for interior design so in the mid 1980s, she and Arn started their own home interior business called The Solution. Barbara was a meticulous designer, helping people choose colors and fabrics, and Arn installed whatever Barbara told him to. Their business flourished for 15 years – and even more they loved being able to do it together! Both being nature lovers, Arn and Barbara also enjoyed working together at the Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery part-time, tagging fish. If that wasn’t enough, Barbara bred Boxers for several years and had a journal full of pictures of all the cute puppies they had (and wished she could have kept).

There were so many ways that Barbara and Arn made life interesting. They loved to travel every chance they got, taking cruises to Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Jamaica, and many unforgettable family road trips out west, to Mammoth Cave, Disney World and Las Vegas. Every summer they looked forward to spending time at Hamlin Lake in Ludington together in the same cabin every year. They were such a fun-loving family and it didn’t matter where they were, love and laughter always filled the air….Like when they went out to dinner, they always made up names to put on the list since no one pronounced their name right anyway.

As a naturally social person, Barbara was always enthusiastic to be a part of people’s lives, especially her family. She and Arn had an amazing relationship that was the envy of many. They lived, loved and treasured every day together, whether it was working, reading a book, watching a movie (Titanic was Barbara’s favorite) or being silly and dancing around the house. Their joy and laughter was contagious and there was never a dull moment with them around. Sunday was always popcorn, fudge, and “movie night” as a family, a tradition that has continued with her children and grandchildren.

Life was always full of adventure for Barbara. Aside from traveling, she was a die-hard shopper. It wasn’t usual for her to have to buy an extra suitcase while on vacation to get all her shopping treasures home. Being the classy lady she was, Barbara stayed up on all the latest fashions and dressed to the nines. She loved spending time with her grandchildren too, and often took them to the zoo or Meijer gardens. She and Arn also spent a few winters visiting his dad in Florida, where they loved walking the beaches together, hunting for seashells. Barbara had a collection of hand bells and birds too. Their home boasted of a big garden they both loved to tend, the bounty of which Barbara pickled, froze and canned. Heartbreakingly, in 2003, Barbara lost her beloved husband Arn, who had leukemia, but had a medical mishap.

With a genuine heart that was as endless as the ocean is blue, Barbara touched the hearts of so many within her reach. She was part of a successful business and a woman with many interests, but it was the moments that she shared with those she loved that meant the world to her. Barbara will be deeply missed and remembered always.

Barbara A. Hoehn, age 68, died on Wednesday, October 1, 2014, in Mattawan, MI. Barb was born November 14, 1945 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Harold and Winifred (Story) Burr. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold Hoehn; son, Brian Hoehn, and her parents. Surviving are 2 children: Anthony (Tammy) Hoehn and Julia (Sven-Erik) Hoehn; 6 grandchildren: Ashley, Jessica, Tyler, Jaedyn, Shelby and Colby; sister, Ann (Harold) Wolbers; and 2 nieces and nephews.

Visit with her family and friends while sharing some food and drinks on Sunday, October 5, from 2-4 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Homes, Betzler – Kalamazoo, 6080 Stadium Drive (375-2900). Please visit Barb’s personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a favorite memory or photo of her and sign her online guestbook before coming to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Care of South West Michigan.