Barbara J. Braaksma

Barbara “Barb” Janice Braaksma, 87, of rural Cambria, died peacefully on November 2, 2026, at Stone Terrace Senior Living in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.

Barb was born on July 10, 1939, to Curtis and Bernice Bradley and was raised on her family farm. She attended school in the Rio School District.

Barb devoted her life to caring for others and making a home for her family. She had seven children of her own and also served as a foster parent for 23 years, from the 1980s into the early 2000s, opening her home to more than 120 children. At times, she cared for two or three babies simultaneously, and the children who came into her home ranged in age up to 10 years old. Some stayed for just two hours, while others remained for as long as three and a half years. Her ability to nurture and care for children extended well beyond her own family, and she provided a safe and loving home to countless children in need. She was also an active member of the local Homemakers Club, which she joined in the 1960s.

An expert seamstress, Barb made nearly all of her children's clothing, along with special-occasion attire, including wedding and prom dresses. She was endlessly creative and always finding new hobbies and ways to make something beautiful. She taught herself to crochet and knit, making afghans for nearly everyone in her family and delighting in giving them as gifts to celebrate weddings, new babies, and other special milestones. She also developed a talent for quilting and sold many of her intricate, beautiful creations. Never one to stop learning, she enjoyed attending adult education classes on everything from cake decorating to computer skills.

For many years, Barb maintained a large garden in her yard, growing a wide variety of vegetables that she put to good use in the kitchen. Her family enjoyed fresh vegetables, homemade pickles, and countless jars of home-canned produce. She loved to cook and collected hundreds of cookbooks, so many that her husband built shelves into the walls of her bedroom to display them. She took great pleasure in sharing favorite recipes with her family. A talented baker and cake decorator, she made numerous wedding cakes, and family holidays were always filled with her delicious baked goods. She also spent several summers baking treats for her granddaughter and great-granddaughter and their co-workers to enjoy while they worked as lifeguards at the Cambria Pool.

Barb was a lifelong follower of politics and a woman of action. She closely followed various political movements throughout her adult life and took pride in participating in elections and staying informed on current issues. An independent thinker with a strong will, she could hold her own in just about any political debate. Her years as a foster parent exposed her to people from many different walks of life and strengthened her advocacy for those with diverse backgrounds and experiences. She was equally passionate about reading and lifelong learning, often reading as many as 15 books a week and keeping up with the news through the newspaper. She also believed in making a difference in her community and was an active member of the Cambria Kiwanis Club. Through the club, she volunteered in many ways, including preparing salads for the annual Dump Run fundraiser for cancer, scooping vegetables at the semiannual vegetable sale, and stuffing eggs for the children's Easter egg hunt. She was also a member of the local Red Hat Ladies, where she enjoyed dressing up, getting together, and spending time with her friends.

An avid sports fan, Barb faithfully followed Wisconsin teams and rarely missed a Packers, Badgers, Bucks, or Brewers game. She enjoyed watching games with family or exchanging text messages with live updates as the action unfolded. She especially loved recently watching the Brewers win the World Series. Her enthusiasm for sports extended to the sidelines, where she loved cheering on her grandchildren at their sporting events and other competitions, including solo and ensemble and forensics. Whether in the stands or following along from home, she loved supporting her family and celebrating their accomplishments. When she wasn't watching sports, Barb could often be found enjoying country music, with Toby Keith holding the top spot as her favorite musician.

On February 16, 1968, Barb married James “Jim” Braaksma. Jim embraced Barb's children and raised them as his own. Together, they later welcomed two more children, Peggy Sue and Todd Russell.

Barb will be remembered for her big heart, generous spirit, and wonderful sense of humor. She would do anything for her family, whether watching her grandchildren every day, taking them on fun adventures, driving them to sporting events and other activities, or hosting family holidays in her home. She always made an effort to stay connected and never missed an opportunity to show her family how much she loved them. She instilled a love of reading in her grandchildren and taught her children the importance of being strong and independent. Never one to be bashful, Barb was also known for her quick wit and the funny jokes she loved sharing with others. Above all, she had a special way of making everyone feel like they were her favorite. Her family will remember her not only for all she did for them, but for the love, laughter, and sense of belonging she brought to their lives.

Barb will be sadly missed by her children, Raymond (Jean) Johnson, Peggy Agnew, and Todd (Pam) Braaksma; grandchildren, Chuck, Lorelei Barbara (Javier), Josh (Jessica), Paden, Delaney Barbara, Abe (Amber), Austin, Emma, Jason, Callie, Vaughn, and Stephanie (Michael); great-grandchildren, Javier, Isabella, Corvus, Amara, Elyse, Tatum, Finley, Beatrix, Jocelyn, Grant, Elianna, David, and Charlie; and brother-in-law, Larry Braaksma. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Braaksma; her parents; her brother, Russell Bradley; two children, George and Ava; brothers-in-law, Duane and Gerald Braaksma; sister-in-law, Christine; and son-in-law, James “Spiro.”

In accordance with Barb's wishes, there will be no service.