Barbara Ohnsman

Barbara Jean Ohnsman, 87, of Rockford, died Friday, November 14, 2008 at Faith Hospice in Trillium Woods in Byron Center surrounded by her loving family. Barbara (Barb to her many friends; Mrs. O to her students) was born December 2, 1920, in Wilmington, Delaware to Roy H. and Martha (Wright) Brown. In her childhood, Barb lived in New Castle, Delaware, Chicago and Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. She graduated from Northwestern University at the age of 20 and was a proud and loyal alumnus. Barb married Robert Kaap on December 2, 1942, in Florida. Mr. Kaap, a World War II Navy pilot, was shot down in action in the Pacific in 1943 and presumed dead. Barb met Elliott Harris Ohnsman in Chicago in 1945 and they were married on May 4, 1946, in Beaver Falls, PA, where their six children were born. The family moved to Rockford in 1961. She became a member of Rockford United Methodist Church which provided her great inner strength and she gave back to the church in many ways. Barb enjoyed her fifteen years as a Lay Speaker at her church and others in Michigan. Over 1,000 new church members or guests were surprised when she delivered a loaf of freshly baked bread to their homes as a gift of kindness. Barb started teaching in the Rockford School System in 1963 and enjoyed 24 years of sharing her knowledge with junior high and adult education students. She helped thousands of students over the years and delighted in the ongoing relationships that she maintained with them and her children's friends. When she was out and about, she loved hearing "Hi, Mrs. O" from former students. Mrs. O was a member of the Kappa Delta Sorority, Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel, Gold Star Wives of America, Rockford United Methodist Women, and the Krause Memorial Library Board. Barb enjoyed time with her family, her extensive penguin collection, traveling, reading, writing cards and letters to her many friends, solving crossword puzzles, watching Tiger Woods play golf, boat rides on Lake Michigan, her homes on Main Street and in Castle Hill. Barb was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Roger, her husbands and two grandchildren (Brian Bassier and Erika Ward). She is survived by her son, Steven (Gail) of South Haven, MI, and five daughters, Martha Ohnsman, Mary Lou Ohnsman, Laurie (Colin) Ward, all of Rockford, MI; Patty Ohnsman (Dave Lesley) of Manton, MI; and Janet (Thomas) Bassier of Elko, Nevada; her sister, Julie (Roger) MacAleese and nieces and nephews in Pennsylvania and Tennessee. She was "Oma" to 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren from Alaska to Massachusetts. Her dear cat Gypsy provided countless hours of joy. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturday at the Pederson Funeral Home in Rockford. A Celebration of Life will be held at Rockford United Methodist Church at 2:00 on Sunday, November 23, 2008, led by Pastor Dick Riley. Per her request, cremation has taken place. Memorial contributions may be made to Rockford United Methodist Church. Pederson Funeral Home, Rockford www.pedersonfuneralhome.com