Barbara Dee Bedell was born at home on February 26, 1935, in Wantagh, Long Island, New York, with her Aunt Myra Bedell serving as midwife. She peacefully passed away on August 16, 2026, in Mukwonago, Wisconsin.
Barbara was born with a retinal disorder that caused central vision loss, learning early on that sight is only one way of knowing the world. Her vision faded over the years to total vision loss, but her perseverance, faith, and sense of purpose remained steady. Her life carried her from New York to Illinois, to Massachusetts, and back again, collecting friendships, memories and hymns along the way. She graduated with honors from Pittsfield High School in Massachusetts and attended Baptist Bible College in Binghamton, New York.
Barbara met Dan as a young girl in fourth grade and on March 3, 1956, they married at the Berkshire Hotel in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in a ceremony performed by Dan’s father, Pastor Donald Lee. After a brief honeymoon in Niagara Falls, New York, they returned to Villa Park, Illinois, and began building a life rooted in faith, family, and service. Their home soon filled with the joy of their children, David and Debra, and later the tender memory of their daughter, Christine Beth, who went home to be with the Lord after two weeks.
Barbara devoted her life to caring for others. She was even asked by a doctor to care for a child with special needs. She cleaned homes, helped with the sight-saving children’s school program, and served faithfully in junior church. Her faith was the steady center of her life. She was active in Sunday school, Bible classes, choir, and church ministries. She loved music deeply, learning to play piano by ear, singing in a school trio and later in the Women’s Chorus, and playing the autoharp. Her life reflected faith, service, music, and love for others.
Barbara worked at the YMCA as a cook in the food service program, preparing meals for more than 300 people at special events. She was also a top salesperson for Visualtech low-vision devices, traveling across multiple states to work with ophthalmologists and optometrists, and training patients to use equipment that helped them see more clearly. She received sales awards for her dedication to the low-vision community. Whether she was cooking, knitting, singing, selling, or simply offering a listening ear, Barbara brought warmth, skill, and devotion to everything she touched.
She was welcomed home by those who preceded her in death, including her beloved husband, Daniel Lee; her daughter, Christine Beth; her parents, Weldon and Ida Bedell; her brother, Richard; and her nephew, David Moon
Barbara’s love and legacy live on through her son, David Lee (Vicky); her daughter, Debra Lee; her sisters, Jean Allen and Ruth Moon (Dick); her brother, Joel Bedell (Ann); her grandchildren, Justin Kelly, Daniell Strain (Jeremy), Kristin St-Louis, Shannon Lee (Joe DeRooi), and Eric Lee (Samantha); and her great-grandchildren, Thomas, Oliver, Colton, Clayton, Owen and Penelope.
Two of her favorite hymns were “Great is thy Faithfulness” and “When We All Get to Heaven,” songs that reflected the hope and assurance that guided her life, especially as she learned to see the world through faith rather than sight.
Services will be held September 1st visitation from 2 to 3 and service beginning at 3 at Fox River Christian Church (W46S24130 Lawnsdale Rd Waukesha, Wisconsin) with Pastor Bill Gunderson and Nathan Schindler, Interment will take place at Vinje Cemetery in Callender, Iowa September 4th at 2 pm.
