Lori Ann Barber

“I have the great pleasure of sharing my life today.  I was born to Howard and Mary Daanen on January 8th, 1961.  All my life I loved to pack my bags and go somewhere.  My first two suitcases were intended for my doll clothes, but I used them to pack my clothes for camping.  The cardboard suitcases had a blue and white herringbone pattern.  I am pretty certain my mom packed what I actually needed, but she did let me try.

When I started the sleepover part of my life I received a red, orange, and purple paisley softsided suitcase. Paisley was fashionable in the early 1970’s.  My parents let me plan my first trip.  The paisley suitcase came along.  The trip was to Holland, MI.  Back in the day I had to write letters to the Chamber of Commerce at each destination in order to get maps and hotel information.  The trip was amazing.

In 1977 I begged for yellow suitcases.  As a gift for my confirmation, I received a matched set of gold colored American Tourister luggage.  I packed everything I owned and spent the summer at Mecan River YCC camp. The gold suitcases also accompanied me to UW-Oshkosh where I earned my Library Science degree.

I married Jeff Barber on February 12th, 1983.  The gold suitcases accompanied us on our honeymoon.  Jeff forgot to pack socks.

Times changed and we had the opportunity to travel to Texas.  We purchased a huge aqua softsided suitcase and packed everything we owned.  The trip lasted four days.  Wheeled luggage hadn’t been invented yet.  Jeff gallantly carried it across airports.

Our son Derek was born on July 22nd, 1991.  Our next luggage was a set of backpacks.  Derek got one too.  We learned to pack a little lighter.  Derek only had to carry his stuffed bear and the rocks he wanted to drag home.

The next set of suitcases was burgundy.  It went on our first trip to Europe.  We had received complimentary tickets to see a Watford soccer game and we were hooked on European travel. I still packed everything under the sun.  At least the luggage finally had wheels.

Jeff, Derek and I traveled to Europe together and separately many times.  Each time we got wiser and better at packing.  We only lost our luggage twice.  Once we didn’t know that we had to pick it up when we returned to the United States.  The second time our luggage made it to Italy fine. We traveled with Tom and Rebecca.  We made it home a day late but the luggage didn’t make it home until four days later.  Lesson learned.

I am proud to say that I have mastered the art of traveling with a 19 inch carryon. It finally happened when we visited Oxford, England.  It was the best trip anyone could ever ask for.  Jeff planned it specially for us.

I guess suitcases represent my life’s journey.”

I am survived by my husband, Jeffrey Barber; one son, Derek (Devan) Barber; parents, Howard and Mary Daanen; sister, Linda (Dale) Joachim; brother, Todd (Mary) Daanen; Godfather, Don VanderMissen; Godmother, Doris Cavil; mother-in-law, Eleanore Barber; brother-in-law, Gary (B.J.) Barber; nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends also survive.

Visitation will be held on Monday, August 30, 2021, at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, 2270 South Oneida Street, from 9:00 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Matt Simonar officiating. Burial of cremated remains will be on Tuesday, August 31, 2021, at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, DePere, WI.  Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos may be shared with Lori’s family on her tribute page at www.lyndahl.com

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Unity Hospice.

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