Barbara Viola Luedtke Eckstein, 93, of Zittau, died Sunday, March 30, 2025, at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center in Neenah. She was born December 1, 1931, on the home farm in Larsen to Loyall and Georgina (Schaefer) Larson. Barbara attended a one-room school next to the farm. Barbara was a 1949 graduate of Winneconne High School, where she enjoyed the scholastics part of school and the band. Following graduation she worked at the Farmers State Bank in Larsen.

In September of 1952 Barbara married Ralph Luedtke, who she had dated in high school and years after. Barbara and Ralph moved just 6 miles away to the Luedtke family farm near Zittau. Barbara and Ralph were married for 45 years until he preceded her in death in 1997.

Barbara’s faith was strengthened through her Christian parents and three Lutheran churches, Grace Lutheran, Winchester, where she was baptized, confirmed, and married; St. Peter’s Lutheran, Larsen, where she and Ralph raised their family to adulthood; and in retirement, St. Paul’s Lutheran, Winneconne. Her involvement in these churches included teaching Sunday School, choir, organ playing, Ladies Aid, Guild, and Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society.

Barbara’s community involvement included: 4-H organizational leadership and sewing project leader of 27 years, Winchester Area Historical Society and the Library Committee through the years, and the county homemaker clubs and a local club for 58 years.

On October 22, 2000, Barbara married Warren Eckstein. Their acquaintance went back from their youth. It was a good blending of their lives and their families. Warren preceded her in death in 2023.

She did enjoy sending greeting cards and keeping years and years of picture albums. Homemaking and all that pertains to was rewarding in itself. Faith and family were of the upmost factors in her life.

Barbara is survived by: son-in-law, Richard Zieman, of Beaver Dam, and his family, Ted (Alison) Zieman and children  Avery and Luella, Thomas (Katelyn) Zieman and children Adeline, Jonah, Maximilian, Hannah, and up and coming Baby Z; son, John Luedtke, of Fayetteville, Arkansas; son, Dean (Mary Ann) Luedtke, of Zittau, and their family, Liz (Tom) Rehberg and children Laura, Clara, and Roy, Char (John) Canalle, Phillip (Kendra) Luedtke, Abigail (Eric) Weltzien and child Owen; daughter, Gina (Jeff) Crispell, of Milwaukee, and their family, Ethan (Debra), Sam, and Drew Crispell. She is also survived by stepsons, Terry (Susan) Eckstein, of Menasha; Jeff (Jan) Eckstein, of Havana, Florida; sister-in-law, Mary Rebman; and other relatives and friends.

Preceding Barbara in death were her parents; husbands, Ralph Luedtke and Warren Eckstein; daughter, Nancy Zieman; brothers-in-law, Roy Luedtke and Richard Rebman; sisters-in-law, La Mae Luedtke, Ileta Luedtke; stepmother, Evelyn Larson; stepbrother, Richard Cross; a nephew, Roy Luedtke Jr.; a special cousin, Theda Eckstein, and many other dear relatives and friends.

A visitation for family and friends will be on Saturday, April 5, 2025, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church 8 S. 4th St. Winneconne. A funeral service will be held on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the church with Pastor Ben Berger officiating. Inurnment will follow in the Winneconne Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to the American Cancer Society and Preborn.

Mueller Funeral Home-Winneconne is assisting the family. If you wish, please submit online condolences/memories to muellerfh.net.