Barbara J. (Wuthrich) Doetsch

Barbara J. Doetsch (Barb), 93, of South Bend, Indiana, died peacefully on January 30, 2024. Beloved wife of the late Donald E. Doetsch, who she wed on October 14, 1950, loving mother of Gary (Debbie) Doetsch of Monmouth, IL, Julie (Stacey Hester) Doetsch of Springfield, IL, Jane (Paul) Pasin of Chicago, IL; proud grandmother of Haley (Patrick) Schultz, KaraLyn (Chris Peterson) DeWalt, Melissa DeWalt, Augustine (Moe Zhao) Pasin, and Joy Angeline Pasin; dear great-grandmother to Aubrin, Gideon, Liam, Ben, Eliza Jane, and Margaret; brother, John (Sue) Wuthrich of Bull Shoals, AR; and fond aunt to many. 

Barbara was preceded in death by her son, D. William Doetsch, daughters, Joan (DeWalt) Kohlruss and Anne Maureen Doetsch; and sister, Juanita (John) Williams.

Barb was born in South Bend, IN, on April 6, 1930, to Joan and Paul Wuthrich. Barbara graduated from Riley High School in 1948, devotedly raised her children, and then worked for many years as an insurance claims clerk in South Bend. 

Barb can best be described as a fiercely devoted mother who was very much in love with her husband, Don. She enjoyed making friends and often told detailed stories about someone she may have met only once. She loved Lake Michigan and organizing champagne breakfasts on the beach. She was a regular at the Riley Lunch Bunch gatherings. She had an inquisitive mind and thrived when learning new things on a diverse array of topics. She loved the sky, balancing eggs at the equinox, doing the daily crossword every morning in pen, and beating the best of us at trivia. 

She will be ever in our hearts. 

Family and friends will be received at the McGann Hay, University Chapel, 2313 E. Edison Rd., South Bend, IN on Thursday, February 15, from 11:00 am – 12:00 noon. A celebration of life will be held at 12:00 noon with burial to follow at Southlawn Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to the Alzheimer’s Association, https://www.alz.org.

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