Barbara Ann Valiska

Barbara Ann Valiska

Barbara Ann (Katczka) Valiska passed away peacefully on late Thursday afternoon, March 23, 2023 with her three sons at her side and a beautiful sunset on the horizon.  Barbara was born in Wausau, WI on Friday, January 2, 1942 to the late Anthony Anton Katczka & the late Regina A. (Ligman) Katczka.  Barbara married Robert (Bob) H. Valiska on Saturday, June 4, 1966 in Wausau at St Mary’s Catholic Church (Now St Mary’s Oratory).  Barbara & Bob enjoyed close to 32 years together before Bob’s passing in February 1998.

Barbara graduated from Newman Catholic High School in Wausau and attended the University of Wisconsin-Marathon Center.  Before starting her most important occupation as a mother, Barbara worked at various insurance agencies in the Wausau area.  Barbara later worked for over 25 years at Shopko in both Rothschild and later in Wausau as well as a number of years at Wal-Mart in Rib Mountain.  She enjoyed sewing, art, and craft projects.

Barbara is survived by her sons: Peter (Heather Summers) Valiska, Mosinee, WI, Heath (Ginger) Valiska, Oregon, WI, & Sean (Sara) Valiska, Wausau, WI.  She is further survived by her grandchildren: Myles, Hailey, Elise, Cooper and Emily Valiska, & Kennedy Summers.  Barbara is also survived by her sisters-in-law: Judy Valiska & Linda Valiska, and her brother-in-law Jim (Nina) Valiska, and many nieces & nephews.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Bob, her parents Anthony & Regina, her sisters: Leone Topinka, Bernice Katczka, Lucille Fraser, Alice Bielke, & Marian Przybylski, her brothers: James “Jimmy” Katczka & Albert “Al” Katczka, her sisters-in-law: Marian Valiska, Dorothy Krause, Alice Valiska, and her brothers-in-law: Rudy Topinka, Duane Fraser, LeRoy Bielke, Edward Przybylski, Norman Valiska, James Krause, Donald Valiska, & Charles Valiska.  Barbara was also preceded in death by several nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank Barbara’s Care Team at North Central Health Care (Mount View Care Center) and her care team at Marshfield Clinic Health System for their years of compassionate care for Barbara.  They also wish to thank Canon Aaron Huberfeld of St Mary’s Oratory in Wausau for providing comfort and prayers in Barbara’s final hours.

Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, April 6, 2023 at the Brainard Funeral Home-Wausau Chapel, Wausau with Canon Aaron Huberfeld officiating.  Visitation will be held from 9:00 A.M. until the time of services at 11:00 A.M. at the funeral home.  Burial will take place at Pine Grove Cemetery, Wausau.