Barbara Ann (Ward) Nordness

Barbara Ann Nordness, 84, of Rib Lake, passed away Thursday, April 23, 2026, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

She was born February 4, 1942, to the late Albert “Butch” and Bernice (Granger) Ward. Barb and her brother, Barry, grew up in Baraboo and then Boscobel, where she graduated high school in 1960. In December 1960, she married Joseph B. Kokesh, with whom she raised three daughters: Kelly, Michelle, and Angela. They spent many years in Palmyra, where Barb worked for Cold Spring Egg Farm.

In 1978, Barb married John A. Nordness. For nearly four decades, known on the road by their CB handles “Cinderella” and “Short Shot”, Barb and John traveled the country as a semi-truck driving team before retiring to Rib Lake in 2016.

To say she was full of moxie barely scratches the surface; she was a firecracker who commanded every room she entered with an abundant generosity that made everyone feel like family. Above all, Barb was never afraid to be her true self.  She had a lot of love to give and always “loved you more.”

She is survived by her daughters, Kelly (Jon) DiSanto and Michelle (Rick) Holda; son-in-law, Sam Riggs; stepchildren, Vern Nordness, Wendy Helgestad, and Bradley Nordness; six grandchildren: Matt (Victoria) DiSanto, Christina DiSanto, Amanda (Max) Wasscher, Ashley (Samantha) Riggs, Rachel Riggs, and Aszhia Kennedy; and her dearest friends, George and Beverly Tesch.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, John; her parents and brother; her daughter, Angela; and grandson, Karl Reeb. She was also preceded in death by a multitude of beloved dogs—her "kids"—who undoubtedly met her with wagging tails.

Private graveside services and burial will take place at Lakeview Cemetery in Rib Lake at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to an animal shelter of your choice.

~ We will miss you more than words can express ~

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Barbara Ann (Ward) Nordness, please visit our floral store.