Barbara M. Rees

Barbara M. Rees, 86, of Benton, Wisconsin, passed away on Saturday, July 12, 2025. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Beginning Point Church in Benton, Wisconsin, with Pastor Rick Gault and Rev. Bill Vasey officiating. Burial will follow in Shawnee Cemetery in New Diggins, Wisconsin. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to the service. Casey-McNett Funeral Home of Cuba City, Wisconsin, is assisting the family.

Barbara was born on December 23, 1938, in Waukegan, Illinois, the daughter of Michael and Helen (Hanson) Mitchell. She married John Rees on February 14, 1961, in Woodstock, Illinois.

Barbara graduated from Waukegan Township High School and began her career working at the local hospital. After moving to the farm, she worked at Grande Cheese Factory before dedicating herself to caring for others as a CNA at Lafayette County Manor from 1967 until her retirement in 1991. Throughout her life, she balanced a strong work ethic with raising her children, always placing God and family at the center of her world. In her younger years, she and her husband enjoyed swimming and riding their motorcycle together. In later years, they shared a love for bird watching and gardening. Barbara’s greatest joy was her family—her children and grandchildren were truly her “sweethearts.”

Barbara is survived by her husband, John; her children, Carolyn (Bob) Gille of Cuba City, WI, Heidi (Troy) Barnett of Kenosha, WI, and Kelly (Dan) Spiegelberg of Monument, CO; her brother, Michael David (Val) Mitchell of Antioch, IL; her grandchildren, Mitchell (Manelyn) Kitchens, Joshua (Dakotah) Kitchens, Ashley (Sarrut) Kitchens, Kelsey (Justin) Romanoff, Kalee Barnett, Taylor (Yeonwook) Spiegelberg, and Brittany (Jake) Delfin; her sister-in-law, Diane Mitchell; eleven great-grandchildren and two more on the way; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Shelly Rees, who passed away at the age of three; and her brother, Dan Mitchell.

Memorials may be sent in Barbara’s name to Casey-McNett Funeral Home, 123 N Jackson St, Cuba City, Wisconsin 53807.

The family wishes to thank the staff of St. Croix Hospice, the Benton First Responders, and Dr. White and his nurse, Kelsey, for their compassionate care of Barbara.