Barbara J. Totzke

Barbara J. (Knuth) Totzke, 78, of Baroda died Thursday, August 19, 2010 at home. Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m., Monday, August 23, at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, August 24, at Zion United Church of Christ, 9105 Third St., Baroda, with Rev. Chris Noffke officiating. Burial to follow at Hickory Bluff Cemetery, Stevensville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Berrien County Youth Fair, Lory’s Place and Zion United Church of Christ, Baroda. Friends wishing to share a memory or sign the Guestbook online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com Barbara was born September 10, 1931 in Berrien Springs, to Robert and Alice (Heyn) Knuth. She graduated from Berrien Springs High School in 1949. On June 7, 1952 she married Gerald “Bud” Totzke and they shared 51 years together. In 1981, together with her husband, Bud, Barb formed the partnership, Totzke Farms, along with their two sons. Today’s operation includes fruit and grain farms in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties. Barb loved pageants and the opportunities they gave to young women. She was involved with the Miss Baroda pageant, the Miss Southwest Scholarship Program, Miss Michigan Scholarship Program and sat on the Blossomtime Board of Directors. She gave annually to various queens’ wardrobes, from shoes to purses, whatever the need was. Throughout the years, Barb was affiliated with many organizations. She was a member of the Berrien County Junior Farm Bureau, St. Joe Kickers Sport Club, Berrien County Republican Women, and Zion United Church of Christ, Baroda. She was a 4-H Leader (sewing) for over 20 years. Barb was also a volunteer and a strong supporter of the Berrien County Youth Fair. Barbara is survived by sons–Nick (Jann) of Stevensville, Ned (Sue) of Baroda, and daughters Nancy (Allen) Poschke of Stevensville and Noreen (Todd) Soos of Berrien Springs; grandchildren Brett (Krista), Brian (Shaya), Brooke, Nicklas, Scott (Nicole) and Janelle Totzke, Kristin (Corey) Sciutto, Karin (Kevin) Clement, and Kaitlin Poschke, Alexandra and Austin Soos, and Roxy Betker; great-granddaughters Emma, Ava, and Ella Totzke and Addison Sciutto, and great-grandson Devon Koelsch; sisters Janice Werdin, Audrey Brohman and Marjorie Oberlander, and brothers Dale, Dwane and Bill Knuth. Preceded in death by her husband Bud on July 24, 2003 and a Daughter-in-law Lauren on January 3, 2004 Barb’s greatest loves were farming and family.