Kackley, Barbara E.

Barbara E. Kackley, age 80 of Mineral Point passed away unexpectedly at her home on Saturday, February 3, 2024.

Barbe Kackley often seemed a contradiction:  she appeared outgoing and the center of attraction, yet was intensely private and an introvert at heart.

She was generous in spirit willing to reach out to others, but hid her generosity.  She gave so much in ways you didn't think you needed to repay.

Barbe had a restless curiosity—she wanted to know something about everything.  She became so enthusiastic about a topic, she just had to let you know about it—often in great detail.  When our children were young, when they'd ask Barbe a question they'd qualify it by saying, "Mom, give me the dictionary answer, not the encyclopedia one."

Barbe was modest—never boasting about something she'd done.  She would be embarrassed about this piece about her.

Most of all Barbe was sold out for the Lord Jesus.  She studied the Bible constantly.  She looked at everyone through the lens of her faith, wanting the best for every person.

Barbe was born in Fort Monroe, VA, October 31, 1943, to Colonel Walter and Miriam Ellis.  She lived in a variety of military posts and homes in Japan, Western US, Washington,DC, and Germany.

She graduated from William Chrisman High School in Independence, MO in 1961 and started in the Journalism School of Northwestern University.  She met her husband-to-be at a fraternity-sorority mixer at Northwestern.

Barbe and Jim were married in June 1964 and settled in Evanston, IL.  She graduated with a degree in journalism from Northwestern in 1965.

The Kackley's have two children, Shannon (Badger) '65 and John Kackley '66.  In 1971 they moved from the Chicago suburbs to downtown Chicago when their children were 4 and 5 years old.  The children were reared living in high rise apartments and condos.  It was a joyous time visiting museums, musical events and sporting events just a short distance from home.

During this time Barbe capitalized on her journalism training working for the Chicago Tribune as head of real estate classified advertising.

In 1983 as the children were finishing high school, Jim's company transferred him to Tampa, FL, where Jim and Barbe worked for five years.  In 1987 they moved back to Chicago, where they played a significant role in the business and civic community until 1999.  

In 2000 the Kackley's moved to Mineral Point to start a new stage in life.  For 12 years Barbe ran Alpacas of Prairie Station, raising top-quality alpacas.

The development of Barbe's Christian life paralleled her work and family life.  She became a Christian in 1969 when she was on the Evangelism Explosion team of First Methodist Church in Chicago, witnessing for the Lord.  From that point her life was filled with serving Jesus.  She served faithfully in EE for seven years, leading people to Christ.  At the same time she served as editor of the church newspaper.

In 2006 she became a Charter member of Grace Bible Church of Mineral Point, where she's been active for 18 years.

Barbe is survived by her husband Jim, her daughter Shannon (Steven) Badger, her son John (Aimee) Kackley, grandsons Ben, Mick, A.J., Noah and Tim Badger, granddaughters Rho Kackley, Becki (Marnocha), Abri (Nordine), Miriam and Anna Badger, grandsons-in-law Jesse Marnocha, Matt Nordine, and Caleb Owens and granddaughter-in-law Samantha Badger, great grandsons Chi, Remi, and Nate Marnocha, great granddaughters Mickie and Lia Marnocha and Niah and Allie Nordine.

Barbe is preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Miriam Ellis, her sister Marty Savage, and her granddaughter Sarah (Badger) Owens.

A Celebration of Life for Barbe will be held Saturday, February 10, 2:00 p.m. at Grace Bible Church, 1200 Betty Lane, Mineral Point.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the charity of your choice or to Grace Bible Church (www.graceisagift.com) or Jews for Jesus (www.jewsforjesus.org)

GORGEN FUNERAL HOME

www.gorgenfh.com