Barbara A. (Sample) Schuler, age 95, passed away peacefully on Nov. 17, 2017, at ThedaCare Medical Center in Waupaca, Wis.

She was born Sept. 9, 1922, to James and Eva (DuMez) Sample in Spring Valley, the youngest of six children. Barb attended schools in Spring Valley, graduating in the class of 1941, as valedictorian. She attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and played drums in the Luther College Concert Band. Barb also attended and graduated from Northwest Institute of Medical Technology in Minneapolis. She was then employed as a laboratory technician at Sheboygan Memorial Hospital in Sheboygan, Wis.

When her future husband, Elroy Schuler, returned from WWII to his former employment in Sheboygan, they met and were married on Oct. 6, 1945. Elroy having been a mess sergeant in the service wanted to go into the food business. Their first was Valley Café in Spring Valley. The next was Schuler's Bar in Elkhart Lake, Wis., and the last was Airport Inn in Waupaca, Wis., which they owned and operated for 24 years.

In 1978, after selling the Airport Inn, being of retirement age, Elroy managed their new home and lawn, and provided delicious meals while Barbara returned to the medical field and became an Accredited Record Technician at Riverside Hospital in Waupaca for 12 years. Barbara and Elroy loved to travel and did so at all opportune times.

Following Elroy’s death in 1997, Barbara began volunteering at Riverside Medical Center, Wisconsin Veterans Home, Waupaca Library, Waupaca Area Genealogical Society, and the Waupaca Historical Society of which she was a member of the Board of Directors. At this time, she also attended water aerobics five days a week. During the next 10 years, she went on 22 Elderhostel trips which were very educational. Her final years were spent at Park Vista Retirement Home in Waupaca.

Barbara is survived by her daughter, Sara (Tom) Daggett; two grandsons, Eric (Jennifer) Daggett and Patrick Daggett; and four great-grandchildren, Khloe Norkett, Alayna Daggett, Reid Daggett, and Sydney Daggett.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Eva Sample; her husband, Elroy Schuler; an infant daughter; four brothers, Darrell, Roy, Ivan and Ralph; and one sister, Virginia Knudtson.

A funeral service was held Nov. 22, at the Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca. The Rev. Bryan Robertson officiated. Burial was at the Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in King at a later date.

Memorials may be directed to the Waupaca Area Genealogical Society or the Waupaca Historical Society.

The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca assisted the family with arrangements.