Barbara Louise Rang

Barbara Louise Rang, age 80, of Hayward, WI, passed away Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at Tamarack Health in Hayward.  She was born on April 14, 1945, in Hayward, the daughter of Harry and Hazel (Hopp) Rang. 

Barbara had a very rewarding career as an educator, started by teaching English as a second language in the Philippines as a Peace Corps volunteer, taught a year at John F. Kennedy Prep near Green Bay and finishing her last thirty-four years at Tomah High School where she was also its yearbook and newspaper teacher-advisor for most of those years.  She was active in the Journalism Education Association (JEA) and the Wisconsin Chippewa Valley School Press Association (WCVSPA) holding various offices on its Board of Directors.  Barbara served in the Philippines with the Peace Corps, receiving a Certificate of Appreciation from US President Richard Nixon for her service.  Her time in the Peace Corps sparked her desire to travel as she made trips to several countries in Europe, Scandinavia, Central America, South America as well as Hong Kong and Japan. 

After thirty-five years in education, Barbara left Tomah to return to her hometown of Hayward where she enjoyed golfing, fishing, and sightseeing.  When not out and about, she loved being home with her beloved long-haired mini-dachshund, Sawyer who was always ready to play “fetch” and let him take her for a walk.  When Sawyer passed at age 16, Barbara found a new dog she named Keegan.  When her health deteriorated, she found Keegan a new home where he could get more exercise and adopted a cat from the Northwood Humane Society.  She named her cat Kitty Babe and Kitty was a wonderful companion who enjoyed sitting on her lap and watching TV with her.

She is survived by her siblings, Charles Rang of New Richmond, Betty Peterson of Neenah, Patsy (Patrick) Bateson of Hayward and Curt (Deanna) Rang of Baldwin, and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.  

She is preceded in death by her parents; her sister-in-law, Jerelean Rang; her brother-in-law, Roland Peterson; sister and her husband, Pamela and Michael Kacner; her niece, Jocelyn Rang; and her nephew, Scott Peterson.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Hayward Funeral Home, 15571 W County Highway B in Hayward, where visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until the hour of the service.  Interment will follow in Phipps Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the Northwoods Humane Society, http://www.northwoodshumanesociety.org.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Barbara Louise Rang, please visit our floral store.