Hanzlik, Barbara J.

Barbara J. Hanzlik, 69, of Decorah, died Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009, at St. Mary's Hospital, Rochester, Minn., following a sudden illness. Memorial services: 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 31, Decorah Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Tom Pietz and the Rev. Bryan Robertson presiding. Burial will be in Phelps Cemetery, Decorah. Friends may call from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday in the fellowship room at the church and after 10 a.m. Monday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Decorah Lutheran Church, 309 Winnebago St., Decorah, IA 52101, or Winneshiek County Hospice, 907 Montgomery St., Decorah, IA 52101, in memory of Barb Hanzlik.

Barbara Jean (Bany) Hanzlik was born Dec. 11, 1939, the daughter of Oscar and June (Johnson) Bany, in Tripoli, Iowa. After graduating from Tripoli High School in 1957, she attended Luther College in Decorah for two years, majoring in music. When she left Luther, Barb moved to Waterloo and took a job as office manager for the Highway Commission. In the fall of 1962, she was singing at a friend's wedding and agreed to go on a blind date with one of the groomsmen, a civil engineer from Cedar Rapids named George Hanzlik. They were married April 21, 1963, at Grace Lutheran Church in Tripoli. Barb and George lived in Anamosa and Manchester before moving to Decorah in 1972. She taught piano lessons, served for many years as a secretary at the Luther College Registrar's office, and in 1994, she turned her lifelong hobby into a career by becoming a partner in Troll's Treasures Antiques in Decorah.

Barb was an avid bridge and Scrabble player, loved meeting friends for lunch at “the Teahouse” or for regular dinners out, and enjoyed traveling and taking numerous trips with George. Barb was a member of Decorah Lutheran Church and helped found the Oneota Questers. Above all, Barb loved and enjoyed her family, but especially her three grandsons.

Barb's survivors include one son, Robert (Michelle) Hanzlik, Coon Rapids, Minn., and their three sons, Samuel, Joseph and Nicholas; and one daughter, Melinda Hanzlik, Chicago; along with many dear friends who loved and supported her.

Barb was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and June (Johnson) Bany; her twin sister at birth, Beatrice; and her husband, George Hanzlik on June 17, 2007.