Celebrating the Life of Barbara Ann Bradshaw May 13, 1935 – May 22, 2026

Barbara Ann Bradshaw, age 91, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family and her devoted "Team Mom." Comfortable and deeply loved, her passing was exactly as she had wished. To her family, she leaves behind a legacy of warmth, tradition, and a familiar, comforting trace of Wind Song perfume—a scent she wore beautifully for over 70 years.

Barb's life was a rich tapestry of places and memories. Born in Menomonie, Wisconsin, to Gerald and Marjorie Decker, she grew up helping her mother tend Victory gardens in Indiana during WWII before moving to Detroit. After graduating from Ferndale's Lincoln High School in 1953, she began the rewarding journey of motherhood with her first husband, Heinz Wenger, raising four children in Novi, Detroit, West Bloomfield, and Mancelona.

In 1980, she married Howard Bradshaw, and the pair found a slice of paradise on a farm in Chatham in the Upper Peninsula. Her Children and grandchildren still warmly recall those UP days, filled with nature and magical waterfall tours. Barb and Howard later moved to Interlochen in 1991 to be near family. Even after Howard’s passing in 1998, Barb continued to embrace life—camping at Interlochen State Park, taking trips to the Sand Dunes and Empire, and spending her later years mastering sudoku and tablet games while living with her daughter, Karen.

Barb made the world more beautiful. She loved tending to her flower beds and poured her immense creativity into the holidays. She was famous for her homemade Christmas gifts (frogs and pillow cases), ceramics, and her intricately quilted and crocheted blankets became treasured family heirlooms, gifted at every major life milestone. Her daughters will forever cherish their annual Mother’s Day weekend getaways to Mackinac Island.

Barb is survived by her siblings: Marge (Rory) Swan, Jerry Decker, and Sandy Mimnaugh; her children: Cindy (Mark) Damerow, Mark (Cathy) Wenger, Jill (Bill) Stephenson, and Karen (Rick) Laylin; her 14 grandchildren: Adam, Heather, Ryan, Michael, Allison, Joel, Dean, Kati, Jessica, Greg, Matt, Anna, Jenny, and Bill; and her 24 great-grandchildren: Baylee, Jesse, Kylee, Madisyn, Ruby, Maggie, Bentley, Dean, Denali, Aubree, Lydia, Abraham, Julia, Lena, Avery, Hudson, Hope, Evalynn, Eloise, Connor, Bekah, Mark, Lincoln, and baby girl Damerow (expected September 2026); all of whom brought immense joy to her life.

Barb has rejoined those who went before her, including her husband, Howard Bradshaw; her parents, Gerald and Marjorie Decker; Sister Phyllis and husband Jerry Thorpe, her brother George Decker, brother-in-law Pete Mimnaugh, and her former husband, Heinz Wenger.

The family wishes to thank Matt and Nancy from Munson Hospice for their exceptional care and support.

A Private family service will be held in her honor.

Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Barbara’s family at her tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.