Barbara "Barb" Mellem

Barbara “Barb” Mellem, age 94, of Richland Center passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 18, 2022, at the Richland Hospital. She was born on May 27, 1928, to the late Ernest and Ruth (Thompson) Irons in New Albin, Iowa. Barb graduated from Lansing High School and after graduating she married Clifford Mellem on November 1, 1945. Barb was a homemaker, dairy farmer, and worked at the Red Mound grocery store during her long life. Barb and Clifford owned and operated the Mellem’s Motel in South Dakota, where she continued the operation after Clifford’s passing. After a year without Clifford, Barb moved back to Wisconsin to be closer to her family where she lived in Prairie du Chien, and later Richland Center. Barb loved to play cards and roll dice. She enjoyed dancing all through her life, even up to her last days. Barb spent time doing word searches and has gone through so many books that they were always given as gifts and she loved every single one. She dearly loved her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Barb is survived by her children: Carol Alderman, Ronald (Peg (Maly)) Mellem, Roger Mellem, and Ruth (Tim) Wagner; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Clifford; her 13 siblings; her son-in-law, Harlan Alderman; daughter-in-law, MaryAnn McNamara; one great-grandson; and two great-granddaughters. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Vosseteig Larson Funeral Home in Viroqua. A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until time of service. Barbara will be laid to rest at Walnut Mound Cemetery in Retreat. Vosseteig Larson Funeral Home & Crematory is serving Barb's family. 123 W. Decker Street Viroqua, WI 54665 (608) 637-2100