Barbara M. Freiburger, age 79, of Dubuque, IA, completed her earthly journey on March 13, 2026, at Mercy One Hospital while surrounded by her loving family. To celebrate Barbara’s life, a memorial mass will be held at 12:00 pm Friday March 20, 2026, at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 2921 Central Avenue. Family and friends are invited to join in fellowship from 10:00-12:00 pm. prior to the service at the church. Private burial services will be in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery at a later date.  The Tri-State Cremation Center is humbly serving Barbara’s family.

Barbara resided at Bethany Home, and formally at The Rose of Dubuque, and 2118 Bald Eagle Court. She was born on October 28, 1946, in Dubuque, IA, the seventh child of Cletus Nicholas and Catherine Margaret (Blasen) Freiburger, one of their “6 of one and a half a dozen the other”!

She graduated from Holy Ghost School, Wahlert High School, Cardinal Strict College in Milwaukee, WI, and finally from NICC with a degree in nursing.

After graduating from Cardinal Stritch, Barbara taught in the New Brunswick, NJ, school system and at the same time, was employed at the Path Mark Supermarket.

After moving back to Dubuque, she taught at Holy Ghost School and Holy Trinity School, where she loved teaching her nephews, Mike, Dan and Ben Schmalz.  During this time, Barbara also worked part-time at Eagle’s Supermarket, to help her brother, David and his young family, while he earned his college degree.  She also worked for TelCom as one of the top salespersons selling Yellow Page ads.  At the age of 50, Barbara went back to school at NICC to earn her degree in nursing.  She was the only student in her class to pay her own way through.  She fulfilled her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse and choose to work for over 15 years at Stonehill Care Center caring for her cherished residents.

Barbara was always there to help anyone in need, she was the “Aunt” to many more than just her nieces and nephews. Barbara loved to cook and bake. If you were fortunate enough to have been treated to any of her delicious dinners or her renowned baked delicacies, famous German Potato Salad and French Silk Chocolate Pie, it is certain that you never forgot them, or her generosity.  Her joy in the kitchen was spread far and wide.  It is fitting that she spent her last days in Bethany Home, coming full circle and again spreading her joy.

Those left to cherish the memory of Barbara include,

her siblings and in-laws
Betty Marini, Dubuque, IA,
Mary Szlaius, Cottage Grove, MN,
Bob (Judy) Freiburger, Dubuque, IA,
Bob Engelhardt, Deerfield, IL,
Joe (Cindy) Freiburger, Las Vegas, NV,
Elaine Valentine, Dubuque, IA,
Marlene (Mike) Schmalz, Dubuque, IA,
Cletus Freiburger, Dubuque, IA,
Dan (Cindi) Freiburger, The Villages, FL,
Rita Freiburger of Hazel Green, WI.
and Carl (Cindy) Freiburger, Dubuque, IA;

55 nieces and nephews whom she treated like her own children,
Catherine (Jim) McDonnell, Bill (Krista) Szlaius, her Goddaughter, Lisa Ousley, Bob Freiburger, Jr., Susan (Jim) Novak, Dan (Caroline) Freiburger, Sara (Seth) Allender, Rob (Joan) Engelhardt, Beth (Tom) Karlson, Michael Engelhardt, John (Alexis) Engelhardt, Angie (Mike) Havrick, Joe (Brandee Sue) Freiburger, Karin (Brian) Fleming, Lynsay (Shane) Sickels, Matt Freiburger, Evan Freiburger, Marian (Hank) Clackum, Terri (Jamie) Bahl, Kristi (Greg) Lincoln, Todd Valentine, Gina (Paul) Schlueter, Mike (Julie) Schmalz, Jr., Dan (Jen) Schmalz, Ben (Julie) Schmalz, Erica  Rosonke, her Godson, Jeremiah (Danielle) Freiburger, Justin (Jennie) Freiburger, Jacob Freiburger, Joshua Freiburger, Megan (Brad) Gargani and Jayson (Emily) Freiburger;

along with numerous great-nieces and nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews.

Barbara was preceded in death by parents; Cletus and Catherine (Blasen) Freiburger, her paternal grandparents, Nicholas and Anna (Hess) Freiburger and Nick’s second bride, Loretta (Reisdorf) Freiburger; her maternal grandparents, Mike and Elizabeth (Mersch) Blasen; her brother, David Freiburger; her sister Kathryn “Kay” Engelhardt, her brothers-in-law, John Marini, William “Bill” Szlaius and Wayne J. Valentine; her nephew, Nicholas Freiburger (infant Son of Dan & Cindi Freiburger); and her nephew-in-law, Shawn Zousel.

Our family would like to thank Dr Jill Powers, Dr Oppert, Dr Herman, Tony Heier, Dr Perotti, Dr Khan, Dr Ramabadran and Dr Loc for all the years they cared for Barbara throughout her many health challenges.  Her mantra was “bilateral carpal tunnel, 2 shoulders, 2 knees, left hip, a heart attack and breast cancer with radiation and 9 years of chemotherapy”!  What an inspiration she was to us all!  She never gave up until she was called Home into the Loving Arms of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! She will finally be greeted by her Beloved Family who have gone before her and her Patron Saint, Jude!

To all the Staff at the Rose and at Bethany Home, we want to extend our most Grateful Thank You for all of the care Barbara received in her final years. The staff at Mercy One ER and the staff in the ICU for your care and compassion.  Blessings to All of You.

Her favorite saying was “Spread your Joy”.  Barbara, “Spread your joy” in Heaven!

Memorials may be given to Holy Ghost Church referencing “The Shrine” upkeep & maintenance.

Online condolences may be shared with Barbara’s family at www.tristatecremationcenter.com