Barbara Ann Pelton (Neé Wolske)

Barbra Ann Pelton (neé Wolske) passed away on May 12, 2026, after an eighteen month battle against brain cancer with the same fierceness that she lived by.

Born December 29th, 1938, to Evelyn (Williams) and Herbert Wolske in Milwaukee Wisconsin. She attended Gesu elementary school and graduated from St John's Cathedral high school, where she gained lifelong friends. Soon after, she met the love of her life, Richard Pelton. They went on to have a loving marriage that lasted 66 years.

Barbara and Richard eventually settled in Janesville, Wisconsin to raise their 4 children. Barbara kept active in the PTA, volunteered at the Janesville Rotary Gardens and enjoyed playing tennis. They loved spending time in Arizona in the winters, until eventually relocating to Madison to be around their grandchildren as they grew up.

Barb kept busy in Madison. She enjoyed water aerobics, book clubs, as well as participating in Who's New, playing bridge and spending time gardening.

One of Barbra's greatest joys was not only being a mother but also a grandmother, and more recently a great-grandmother. Known as Nanny or Gigi, she was their biggest fan in everything they did.

She will be deeply missed for her fierceness and sassy demeanor that was evident in everything she did and the love in her heart for everything and everyone around her. She will be remembered by every garden and hummingbird surrounding her loved ones.

She is survived by her husband Richard Pelton; her children Theresa Pelton-Jutz (Mike Jutz), Maureen Pelton (Charlie Hartwell), Craig Pelton (Meg Sine) and Alicia Pelton; her grandchildren Molly Milow-Jutz (Steve Milow), Amelia Jutz, Marae Hartwell, Mavis Pelton, Ty Pelton-Byce and Kaya Pelton-Byce; her great-grandson Briggs Milow; and her brother Jim Wolske as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Evelyn and Herbert Wolske; her siblings Donna Marek, Betty Kopplin and Larry Wolske.

Barbara's Celebration of Life will be on Sunday, August 23, 2026, from 4:30-7:30pm at Harvest Moon Pond, N3540 WI-22, Poynette, WI 53955. A memorial service honoring Barbara will be held at 5pm with food, drinks and desserts to follow. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please consider donating in Barbara's honor to the Janesville Rotary Gardens.