Barbara Ann Pitel

April 7, 1924 - May 4, 2015

Barbara was born on April 7, 1924 in Boston, MA to Myrtle (Lyons) and F. Harry Cody. She graduated from Malden High School in 1942. After attending Chandler Business College, she worked in the office of Samuel Cabot Inc. in Boston. She shared an amazing relationship with Gordon Pitel; from before their wedding at the First Baptist Church in Malden, MA on Sept. 8, 1945, until her final breath in Spring Grove on May 4, 2015, Gordon was by her side. They celebrated 70 blessed years of matrimony. Her family is very fortunate to know that true love stories really exist. In 1947, Barb and Gordon moved to Spring Grove, where she became more than just a resident, but a part of the Spring Grove family. She taught religious training for 12 1/2 years for Trinity Lutheran Church. Every child in her classes learned to sing the books of the Old and New Testament. As a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, she was a woman of deep faith, strong hope and unending love for her Savior. She taught Sunday school, was active in the women's group, and served on various commissions. For over 30 years, she led Bible Study at the Spring Grove Nursing Home. Gordon and Barb owned and operated an A & W Root Beer Stand from 1953 until 1958 and the B-G Book and Gift Mart from 1973 until 1986. She was involved in several productions at Ye Old Opera House in the 80s and 90s. In 2003, she was named Mest Hoyaktet Dame (Most Revered Lady) at Spring Grove's Syttende Mai. She loved fishing whether it was catching trout from Bee Creek and walleye caught at the family's boat house on the Mississippi River. She was famous for her banana cream pie that she served to the school staff and at all family gatherings. She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters Eva and Thelma. She is survived by her husband Gordon, two sons Richard (Annette) and Robert (Jackie), one daughter LuAnne (Joshua) Barnet, 7 grandchildren Brian (Angela), Stephanie (Kevin) Lamb, Angela (Jeremy) Adelman, Bradley, Jesse (Michelle), Casey, and Nicolena, and 7 great-grandchildren Kaden, Kael, and Kyler Lamb, Luca, Caio, and Noah Pitel, and Alyson Adelman.