Barbara Jeane Schief, 96, of Medford, passed away on Monday, October 5, 2026 at Our House Senior Living, under the care of St. Croix Hospice, surrounded by family.

A memorial service for Barbara will take place on Monday, October 12, 2026 at the Medford United Methodist Church with Pastor Deb Spira officiating. Burial will follow at Medford Evergreen I. Visitation will take place at the Methodist Church on Monday, October 12, 2026 from 10:00 AM until the time of service at 11:00 AM.

She was born in St. Paul, Minnesota October 2, 1930 to Mona (Butler) and Fred Speich. At the age of 3 her family moved to Ladysmith, Wisconsin.

Barbara graduated from Ladysmith High School in 1948 and then entered St. Joseph's School of Nursing in Marshfield, Wisconsin graduating in 1951.

A few weeks after graduating she married Gale Schief of Thorp, Wisconsin in the Ladysmith United Methodist Church. After he completed serving in the Army they resided in Mosinee for 8 years.

Their children Suzanne and David joined them while there.

In 1961 the family moved to Hales Corners, Wisconsin. While there Barbara and Gale were ordained elders in the Presbyterian Church. In 1980 the family moved to Big Bend, Wisconsin.

During her working years Barbara worked in a variety of nursing positions in the Milwaukee area.

Upon retirement in 1991 Barbara and Gale moved to Medford, Wisconsin. These years were rewarding through caring for their elderly parents, being active in the community and in the Medford United Methodist Church, Hope Hospice, Friends of the Library, and Taylor County Memorial Hospital.

Barbara is survived by her daughter Suzanne (Mike Braun of Wausau) of Medford; son David of Tampa, Florida; grandson Brian (Kimberly) of Tampa Florida; niece Cathy (David) Terril of Virginia and niece Connie Dennis of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, several grand nieces and nephews, and her beloved cat, Jordy.

Preceding her in death were her parents Mona and Fred Speich and her husband Gale, daughter-in-law, Shelby Schief, and brother, David (Barbara) Speich.