MADISON - Barbara Jean Schmidtke, age 71, of Madison, passed away on Sunday, September 13, 2026 at SSM Health-St. Mary's Hospital. She was born on August 8, 1955, in Madison, the daughter of Kendal and Jean (Shaffer) Schmidtke.

Barbara graduated from La Follette Highschool in 1973. She then went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in education from UW-Madison in 1986.

She was a passionate and caring special education teacher with the DeForest Area School District and was deeply loved and respected by her students, colleagues and all who knew her. Barbara found joy in gardening, reading books of all genres, and spending time with her beloved cats.

Barbara is survived by her significant other, Glenn R Wolfe Jr,; brothers, Jim Schmidtke, Steve (Julie) Schmidtke and Kendal (Amanda) Schmidtke; sister, Kathy (Robert) Khalar; many nieces, nephews and friends; and her beloved cats, Red and Emma. She was preceded in death by her parents, Kendal and Jean Schmidtke; brother, Gary Schmidtke; grandparents, Kathryn and Leonard Shaffer and Ernest and Leona Schmidtke; and nieces, Lisa and Jennifer.

No services will be held at this time.

A special thanks to Nurse Jin at St. Mary's Hospital for the great care and attention she gave to Barbara.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dane County Humane Society or St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

Barbara Schmidtke

August 08, 1955 - September 13, 2026

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