Barbara “Cookie” Goeden was welcomed into the arms of the Lord on Thursday, March 10, 2022. She was 87 years old.

She was born to P. Werner Herbes and Katherine (Schwickert) Herbes on November 1, 1934 in Milwaukee, WI. She grew up in Greendale. Her family was one of the original Greendale “Pioneers.” After graduating from Greendale High School in 1952, Barbara attended Marquette University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in zoology.

At Marquette University, Barbara met her husband, Richard. They were married in September 1956 in Milwaukee. They celebrated 65 years together on September 15th, 2021. As a young married woman, she was proud of her work as a zoology instructor at the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee.

Together they moved from Milwaukee with their 3 small children to Hoffman Estates, IL where they lived for 32 years. In 1996 they moved back to Wisconsin and settled in Pewaukee. Barbara loved all nature and wildlife, especially birds. Cardinals were one of her favorites. She was a lifelong supporter of multiple environmental charities. She also had a special fondness for Labradors, of which she raised three.

She enjoyed travel, camping, cooking, and crafting. She was also an avid reader. Barbara was a huge supporter of the Arrowhead Special Olympics Program, where you would frequently see her in the stands at track meets and volleyball tournaments. It was her famous chocolate chip cookie recipe that was served at Café Arrowhead & the Original Arrowhead Special Olympics Lobster Boil for over 30 years.

Above everything else, Barbara was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved all family gatherings especially the countless casual dinners with her children and grandchildren. Barbara’s love of her family was truly evidenced by her special personalized home-baked cookie filled tins distributed at Christmastime and refilled annually. It was an activity she repeated for many years adding spouses and other loved ones to the community of lucky recipients.

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents, sister, and brother. She is survived by her loving husband Rich, daughter Lynn (John Hough), daughter Kim (Matt Barr), son Eric (Susan) and three grandsons: David Barr, Gunnar Goeden and Travis Goeden.

A visitation starting at 2:00 PM followed by a Catholic Funeral Mass at 5:00 PM will be held on Friday, March 18th at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield, Wisconsin. Masks are kindly requested by the family.

In lieu of gifts, the family asks that donations be made to Nature Conservatory, an organization that was close to Barbara’s heart.