Barbara Lancour
ESCANABA — Barbara was born in Escanaba on February 1, 1933 as the youngest daughter along with seven sisters and six brothers to Croatian immigrants Michael Kolich and Katherine Jaklevich. She attended Webster Elementary and then St. Joseph Catholic School .
She spotted the love of her life pitching ball and announced “that is the man I am going to marry”. And she did – to Leo Lancour on March 31, 1951 at St Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. They raised a family of five daughters and a son living on their farm in Flat Rock until 1983 when they moved to Escanaba for the rest of their lives.
Barbara had a beautiful singing voice and as a devout Catholic, especially loved to share it in church at St. Thomas and St. Patrick Catholic Churches and as a choir member at St. Joseph and Holy Family Catholic Churches.
Known as a hardworking homemaker and excellent cook (favorite tools being the vacuum and radio), her contributions to the farm were evident. She loved to can pickles, beets, and green beans. She also baked bread. Her clothes lines were always full of clothes flapping in the wind.
Family and home were very important to her.
She enjoyed card games with the sisters-in-law, attending family events, talking and cooing with any baby, her roses, speaking Croatian and eating Povaticia (seasonal) and ice cream (anytime). There was a very special place in her heart for her lifelong friend Betty Lou.
Barbara is survived by her son Jeff Lancour, daughters; Christine (Mark) Motto, Mary (Mark) McCune, Susan (Paul) Bonsall, Cynthia (Ron) Cryderman, and Melissa (Ricky) Ekberg; grandchildren Cory (Kristi) Motto, Neil Motto, Amber (Joe) Motto, Sarah (Josh) DeBroux, Adam (Rachel) Bonsall, Emily Bonsall, Lindsay McCune, Zachary McCune, Ronald Cryderman, Haley Cryderman; Great-grandchildren Devin, Tyler & Melody Racicot, Nolan & Hannah Motto, Andrew DeBroux, Julian Bonsall. She is also survived by her remaining sister, Millie Olszewski and sisters-in-law Theresa Kolich and Jane Lancour as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Leo, sisters; Anna Saxe, Mary Kobasic, Katie Gustafson, Ruby D’Amour, Dolly Ligocki, Rose St. Peter and brothers John, Nick, Michael, Joseph and Tony Kolich, nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to express their extreme gratitude for all the prayers and support since Barbara’s journey with Alzheimers began and especially the last nine months. They are also especially appreciative of the support and care provided by OSF Hospice.
At this time visitation will be private for family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday May 20, 2021 at St. Thomas Church with Fr. Rick Courier officiating. Burial will follow Mass in the Gardens of Rest Cemetery. A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held later this summer.
The Allo Coolman Funeral Homes are assisting the Lancour family.
Please visit www.allofh.com to send online condolences to her family.