Obituary: Barbara Martha Stucki

Barbara Martha (Rude) Stucki, April 4, 1931 – February 1, 2024

Barbara Martha Stucki (Rude), 92, of Manchester, Michigan, passed away of natural causes on February 1, 2024. She was born on April 4, 1931, to John J. and Lorena Bertha (Kuehl) Rude and grew up in Neillsville, Wisconsin.

Barbara (Barb, Mom, Mim, Nan) met her first husband, Captain William Ives, at Ripon College. They married before he left for the Korean War in February 1952. Their marriage was tragically cut short when her husband was killed by friendly fire.

In 1955, she married William “Bill” Stucki, PhD, and over the next 10 years grew her family to five children. Mom was an only child who always wanted to be a part of a big, loud, and loving family — so she created her own.

Barbara was a small-business owner, an avid gardener, and a voracious reader. She was an elegant hostess and wonderful chef, and always made holidays and family gatherings special and memorable. After her husband Bill retired, she came into her own as an antiques dealer and opened the popular Raisin Valley Antiques in the Manchester Mill, which she ran with the help of her family for several years. She was a lifelong learner, infinitely curious, and able to live independently until the time of her death. She lived for her family and passed away at home surrounded by her five children.

She is survived by her children William Mackey Ives of Manchester, Martha Williams (Timothy) of Ann Arbor, Rebecca Stucki of Manchester, Paul Stucki (Chistina Chang) of Seattle, Washington, and David Stucki (Nancy) of Minneapolis, Minnesota; her seven grandchildren Eric (Sunaree Marshall) Mackres, Stephanie (Ben) Mackres Cusick, Lydia (Alex) Dahl, Anna and Ava Stucki, and William and Eleanor Chang-Stucki; step-granddaughter Michelle (Thomas) Ambrose; and four great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her first husband, William M. Ives, her second husband, William P. Stucki, and her parents, Lorena and John Rude.

A memorial has been scheduled for 1–4pm on Sunday, March 3, 2024, at the Manchester Historical Society (KJ Building), 302 E Main St, Manchester, MI 48158.

In lieu of flowers, please give blood, donate to your local hospice, plant a tree, or donate to Washtenaw Literacy.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.