Barbara Belle Braaz was born October 2,1932, in Milwaukee, WI, the second child of Walter and Isabelle Braaz.  She was baptized October of 1932 at St. James Lutheran Church, Milwaukee.

Barbara attended her grade school years at St. James Lutheran School.  She was confirmed in her faith on May 12, 1946 at St. James.

Barbara attended high school at "Old" Lutheran High located on 13th Street in Milwaukee.  She loved to sing and was involved with many choirs.  The high school was known for clerical courses of which she took many.  Her love of sewing also began in high school as many of the girls took sewing class.  Her desire was to become a Lutheran school teacher.  Barbara graduated from Lutheran High in June of 1950.

Barbara headed off to attend college in New Ulm, MN at Dr. Martin Luther College (now known as Martin Luther College) in the fall of 1950.  This college is the worker training college for ministry of the Wisconsin Ev. Lutheran Synod.  It was at the college she met her future husband Ursel Seidl.  At the time, there was a shortage of teachers, so many of the students were sent out before their degrees were finished.  Barbara was assigned to First German Lutheran School, Manitowoc, Wisconsin after completing 2 years of college.  She taught Grades 1-2.She taught school there for 3 years. She also attended summer school sessions at Dr. Martin Luther College.

On August 6, 1955, Barbara married Ursel Seidl at St. James Lutheran Church in Milwaukee.  Since both were called workers, they received calls to teach at St. Matthew's Lutheran School, Iron Ridge, Wisconsin.  Barbara taught grades 1-4 for one year. By her continued Summer school sessions,  she received a 3 year degree in teaching from Dr. Martin Lutheran College in 1956.  Ursel and Barbara started a family when John Henry and Beverly Joan were born. She followed Ursel to Trinity Lutheran (Town Liberty), Manitowoc.  Ellen Cynthia and Thomas Herbert were born. Ursel next taught at  St. Andrew's Lutheran, St. Paul Park, MN.  Barbara attended classes at Concordia College, St. Paul, Minnesota during those years, and graduated cum laude with a BA degree in Education in 1973. Ursel moved on to teach at Immanuel Lutheran, LaCrosse, WI.  While in LaCrosse, Barbara returned to teaching by accepting a call to St. Matthew's Lutheran School, Stoddard, WI where she taught for 13 years.

When they both retired from teaching, they moved to Jefferson, Wisconsin to be closer to family.  Another move to Arlington, South Dakota brought them closer to family again.  The final move was into Brookings, South Dakota to Park Place Apartments where she resided until her passing.

She passed away December 6, 2023, at the age of 91 years 2 months and 4 days.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ursel, son John,  son-in-law Lew Rabenberg and brother Henry Braaz.

She is survived by daughter-in-law Rise Seidl of Gibbon, MN, daughter Beverly Rabenberg of Austin, TX, daughter Ellen (Steve) Teter of Bartley, NE, and son Thomas (Becki) Seidl of Elizabeth, CO.  Grandchildren Naomi(Lindsey) Johnson, Laura Seidl, Anna(Keith) Johnson, Karl Seidl, James Seidl, Amy Rabenberg, Phillip Rabenberg, Bruce Teter, Benjamin Seidl, Elizabeth Seidl, and Matthew Seidl.  Great grandchildren Felicity, Julie, Oliver, Walter, Arthur, and Marilla Johnson, Kate, Alice, Holly, Luke, Eliza, Peter, and Clara Johnson.

Funeral Service will be held at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Brookings, SD, on December 20, 2023, at 12:30PM.  Burial will be at a later time in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.