Barbara Quade, 93, of Litchfield, formerly of Staunton, died on Aug. 13, 2023, at Copper Creek Memory Care Center in Litchfield with family at her side.
Visitation will be 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19 at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton. Funeral services will follow at noon with Pastor Phil Girardin officiating. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Staunton. Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton is assisting the family with arrangements.
Mrs. Quade was born in Carbondale, a daughter of William and Florence (Crain) Brummett. She graduated from Litchfield High School in 1947. She married Max Robinson on July 11, 1948, in Litchfield at Zion Lutheran Church, and they divorced in 1978. On Aug. 16, 1980, she married Vernon Quade in Alton. He died Feb. 20, 1985.
Mrs. Quade attended SIU Carbondale from 1947-1948 and returned to college at SIU Edwardsville in 1969, as a wife and mother of seven children. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in education in 1973, her master’s degree in special education/learning disabilities in 1974. She developed the special education program for the Mt. Olive School District in 1973, and worked there until she retired in 1985. She returned to SIU in 1980 to earn her doctorate degree in Special Education. She served as the principal of Zion Lutheran School in Staunton from 1994-1995. Prior to returning to college,she had taught piano and theory, worked at St. Francis Hospital and also at Schmidt Trucking Line.
Mrs. Quade was a long-time member of Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield until she transferred to Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton. She maintained a strong involvement in her church, serving on numerous boards and as a teacher for fifth and sixth grade confirmation classes. She she was involved with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, serving on many boards and helping start an Adult Christian Retreat at Pere Marquette State Park in Alton. She loved her Lord with a deep faith that she shared with others.
As a senior in 1947 at Litchfield High School, she joined together with seven others to start a sorority, Phi Sigma Nu Sorority, and she was named as the first president. The sorority continues to meet, and adding new members. She loved to travel and visited all seven continents.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Quade was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Sue (Brummett) Wilson; a brother Thomas Wilson; and great-grandson Eli Robinson.
She is survived by her seven children, Max Warren “Robby”(Carla) Robinson of Simi Valley, CA, Herbert Daniel (Paula) Robinson of North Richland Hills, TX, Rex David (Maiya) Robinson of Saugus, CA, Cynthia “Cindy” Sue (Greg) Robinson Watters of Staunton,William Scott (Theresa) Robinson of Worthington OH, Barbara Ann “Babs” (Mark) Binney of Staunton and Shari Dianne (Jay) Grandidier of Mt. Olive; 18 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Charlean (Robinson) Grobe; and many nieces and nephews. Her first great-great-grandchild is due in December.
Condolences may be left online at www.williamsonfh.com