Barbara Joyce (Lantzer) Meinke passed away Jan. 14, 2026, at The Gardens in Crete, at the age of 86. She was born in Aurora on July 29, 1939, to Lyle and Mary (Kirkpatrick) Lantzer.
Barbara graduated from Philips High School in 1958. She was baptized and confirmed Jan. 19, 1958. She was united in marriage to Arnold Meinke on June 16, 1958, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Kramer. They were blessed with three children: Sherry, Terry and Bonnie.
Barbara enjoyed dancing, playing cards with friends, and taking care of the cattle and her cats. She enjoyed attending her grandchildren's musical concerts and their sporting events. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Kramer, where she was a member of the Ladies Aid.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold; parents, Lyle and Mary Lantzer; son-in-law, Gary Rezac; brother, Don Lantzer; and infant brother, Fletcher.
She is survived by her children, Sherry Rezac, Terry Meinke and Bonnie (Gery) Carson; grandchildren, Deanna (Zach) Royuk, Christina (Tom) Katusin, Kyle (Chelsea Richardson) Carson, Kelsey (Trey) Wortman, Jeana (Matt) Scholz, Amanda (Christian) Thompson; great-grandchildren, Kaleb and Sienna Royuk, Layla and Lucille Katusin, Titus and Bennet Scholz, Arya Thompson and baby Thompson; brother, Gary (Marcia) Lantzer; brother-in-law, Dolyn Meinke; sisters-in-law, LaVonne (Marvin) Nitzel, and Donna (Roger) Brunelle.
Visitation will be Wednesday, Jan. 21, from 5 - 7 p.m. at Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete. The funeral service will be Thursday, Jan. 22, at 1:30 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Kramer. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers are suggested in care of the family for future designation.
Arrangements by Kuncl Funeral Home.
