Barbara Kay Demler

Barbara Kay Demler, age 81, of Oshkosh, died on June 29, 2023, at her residence. She was born on June 7, 1942, in Oshkosh to the late Alfred “Sonny” and Helen (Leinweber) Spanbauer. On April 20, 1963, she married Dennis Demler. They were married for 52 years before he passed away.

Barbara graduated from Oshkosh High School in 1960. She started her long nursing career at Fox Valley Technical College, where she went on to get her degree as a licensed practical nurse. As her career expanded, she went to get her associate degree as a registered nurse and her bachelor degree in nursing from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh. Later in life she received her master’s in hospital management, and from there she started her own consulting business working as a contractor for General Electric for their health care division.

Barbara did all of these things while being a devoted wife to Dennis and raised two daughters, Dawn Unger and Pamela Lang.

Barbara is survived by two daughters: Dawn (David) Unger and Pamela Lang; grandchildren: Derek (Kayla) Unger, Deidra (Colton) Fernstrum; one great grandchild, Mae Fernstrum; sister, Maureen Krueger; brother, Mark (Leslie) Spanbauer; sister-in-law, Joan Freund; and many nieces and one nephew. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dennis; and brothers-in-law, Russell Krueger and David Freund.

Per Barbara’s request, she will be cremated and placed at Riverside Cemetery next to her husband. Private family services will be held.

The family would like to thank the caregivers: Amy M., Penny, Tina, Brandi, Amy W. for their care and compassion given to Barbara in her final months.