Barbara Jean Boerke

MADISON- Barbara J. (Reagles) Boerke, age 88, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, at her home.  She was born on July 14, 1929, at Deaconess Hospital in Milwaukee, Wis., the daughter of Donald S. and Dora (Webster) Reagles. Barbara’s family lived in Milwaukee until she was 9 years old, at which time they moved to Lone Rock, Wis.  She was a graduate of Lone Rock High School and began her working career immediately after high school.  Barbara started as a switchboard operator for AT&T back in the days when calls were connected by plugging cables into a large switchboard and multiple parties used the same line and were summoned by different ring tones.  She worked for a time for Sears Roebuck and for CUNA, but most of her career was spent with AT&T/Wisconsin Bell, retiring from the Engineering Department.  Barbara was a life member of the AT&T Pioneers and a “charter” member of St. Dennis Catholic Church.  Barbara is survived by her brother, Kenneth (Susan) Reagles of Syracuse, NY; her sister, Mary Jane Gale of Black, Missouri; her close friend and companion, Bill York; and her children, James (Peggy) Boerke of Hazelhurst, Wis., Suzanne (Chuck) Bader of Oregon, Wis., and Karen (Ron) Jorgensen of Misawa, Japan.  She is also survived by five grandchildren, Sean (Elly) Boerke, Jodie (Chay) Lawrence, Jason Jorgensen, Kirsten (Jean) Cummins, and Kimberly Jorgensen; and five great-grandchildren, Cooper and Owen Pinaud, Roxanne and Nikolai Lawrence, and Abra Boerke.  Barbara was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, George Boerke; her parents; as well as by two sisters, Kathryn Sommers and Donna Young/Templin; and one brother, Thomas Reagles.  Barbara’s family wishes to thank the staff of Agrace HospiceCare and BrightStar for their assistance in her final days.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Rd., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017, with a luncheon to follow.  Entombment will be at the Wisconsin Memorial Park in Brookfield, Wis.  Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, and at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Thursday.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare or St. Labre Indian School, Ashland, Montana 59004.  Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.