Barbara A (Tobiasz) Zich

Passed Away on April 18, 2020

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Barbara A (Tobiasz) Zich, Mesa Arizona went home to Jesus on April 18, surrounded by her three children, two of her grandchildren and son-in-law.

Barb was born on September 30, 1943 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she spent most of her life. She raised her family in Milwaukee and Wausau, Wisconsin. She moved to Arizona in 2016 to be cared for by her daughter and son-in-law.

Survived by her three beloved children, Curtis Zich, Tina (Duane) Gilson and Carrie (Jim Thumstedter) Jonas. Proud grandma to Kristopher (Keli) Gilson, Katie (Jesse) Simon, Nick (Ashley) Gilson, Sam Barber, Bekah (Blake) Swope, Andrew Zich, Rachel Zich and Maddie Zich. Loving great-grandma to Fayth, Aubrey, Aria, Kameron, Lucas, Trinity and Caiden. Sister to Darlene Kubenik and James Tobiasz, and loved by many cousins, nieces, nephews and special brother-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Barbara was preceded in death by her dear mother, Rose (Cincotta) Tobiasz, her father, Joseph Tobiasz, her brother Joseph Tobiasz, Jr., dear mother-in-law and father-in-law, Viola and Raymond Zich, and brother-in-law, Dennis Zich.

Mom worked in banking most of her life. She retired from Bank of Wausau in 2006.

Mom was an avid golfer and bowler when she was younger. She enjoyed the camaraderie (and the Old Fashioneds) of sport.

Mom loved to play cards and other games, but she really LOVED to win. Actually, she just hated to lose. She loved to go to Las Vegas with her sister for vacations. Mom always said she didn’t like to watch the Packers, but she was full of beans. She loved cheering on Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre and had no qualms at yelling at the TV when needed.

After her move to Arizona, she found a new team in the Arizona Cardinals. She enjoyed watching the Cardinals each Sunday. (She really only watched because she was hoping to catch a glimpse of her crush, Bruce Arians. She also thought Larry Fitzgerald was a pretty great guy.)

Mom loved her church and her church family in Mesa. Pastor Glen, Pastor Linda and Pastor Tony all became quite smitten with her, especially enjoying the teasing back and forth. Her church family loved her and she loved them. She particularly loved her Seniors Rock group and the Ladies Bible Study group. The family is so thankful to everyone at Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church for loving on her for the four years she was a member.

Mom lived at Mountain Vista Manor for the past 6 months, where she was loved and cared for by Lucy and the rest of the caregivers.

A memorial will be held in the future, both in Arizona and Wisconsin.

Memorials may be made to Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church, Mesa AZ. Or to Hospice of the Valley, Arizona.