Barbara "Barb" K (Klinner) Perala

Barbara (Barb) Kristine (Klinner) Perala passed away peacefully on June 9, 2022 at Our House Assisted Living in Medford.

A memorial service for Barb will take place at 11:00 AM on Monday, July 11, 2022 at Hemer-Pickerign Funeral Home, Medford, with Pastor David Clements officiating. Visitation will take place at the funeral home on Monday, July 11, 2022 from 10:00 AM until the time of service at 11:00 AM.

Barb was born April 3, 1951, the daughter of Robert & Dagmar (Stenseth) Klinner. She attended Immanuel Lutheran Day School and graduated from Medford High School in 1969.  She received her BS degree in elementary education from UW-Eau Claire and received a master’s degree in counseling from UW-Milwaukee. She taught elementary children in the Wittenberg-Birnamwood and the Howard-Suamico school districts until her retirement in 2006, forging close bonds with students, parents and her co-workers. 

Barb came from a family of educators.  Both her mother and grandmother were teachers.  She had nieces and nephews that were teachers.  Her husband Elmer, his sister, his brother, his daughter and several other members of Elmer’s family were also educators.  Teaching was Barb’s life and it brought her great joy. She received numerous notes and letters from students and parents each year thanking her for her work as a teacher.  When she retired, one student wrote to a younger student, “You might get lucky and get Mrs. Perala for a fourth grade teacher.” A former student who attended Barb’s retirement celebration called her “one of those truly special teachers that really made a difference in my life.”

Barb married Elmer T. Perala on April 5, 1980.  Elmer brought Barb an appreciation for the Finnish culture and two wonderful stepdaughters.  She immediately welcomed Elmer’s siblings, children and grandchildren into her life and they became family to her.  Barb was an avid golfer and put many a man to shame with her drives on the golf course.  She loved her backyard swimming pool, where she entertained friends and relatives alike.  She enjoyed her daily sauna, cooking and baking Norwegian krumkake.  With Elmer’s influence, she acquired a great interest and knowledge of the Packers.  She hosted many friends and relatives for Packer weekends in Green Bay, many of which became annual events.  Barb and Elmer raised three yellow labs (Golda, Libby & Ellie) that became the central focus of their lives.  Barb was especially bonded to Ellie after Elmer’s passing in 2014.

Barb was a warm, wonderful and generous person who always put others before herself.  She will be greatly missed by family, friends and past students.

Barbara is survived by brothers Bill (Martha) and Dave (Donna) Klinner, sister Ann (Jon) Anderson and 8 Klinner family nieces and nephews.  She is also survived by stepdaughters Patty (Jeff) Mayers and Chrissy (John Keach) Richter, 4 Perala family grandchildren and sisters-in-law Betty (Don) Aro, Julia (Gary) Blaisdell and Jeanne (Jim) Perala, and 7 Perala family nieces and nephews.  Barbara was predeceased by her parents, husband Elmer and brother-in-law Jim Perala.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to your local Humane Society or animal shelter.

Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. Online condolences can be left at www.hemerfuneralservice.com.

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