Barbara Ann Harkins Belle passed away on Oct. 26th in Verona, Wisconsin.  Barbara was born on July 21st, 1926, in Elkhorn, WI to Kellogg William and Laura Elizabeth (Dopke) Harkins.  She was married to Robert Lowell Belle on Sept. 10, 1949, in Appleton, WI.  She graduated from Appleton High School and Lawrence University (English) both of Appleton, WI and attended American University, DC.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and siblings Marjorie Harkins Buchanan Kiewit, William Kellogg Harkins and John Charles Harkins.

She is survived by her children Jonathan Robert GoldbergBelle (Elissa) and Christine Ann Belle (Kurt Neumann), grandchildren Staci (John), Keren, Robert, Matthew, Kristopher, and Luke (Abby), great grandchildren Tyler and Rowan, many nieces and nephews, and dear friends.

Barbara was active in clubs and organizations throughout her life including: Kappa Alpha Theta, the Attic Theater, League of Women Voters, Cub Scouts, Girls Scouts, Friends of the Belleville Public Library, Library Board, Belleville Historical Society, Kiwanis Club of Belleville, and the Belleville Cultural Foundation.

When the family moved to Madison, Barbara began a long and enjoyable career at Wisconsin Public Radio. Barbara travelled extensively through the US and abroad with family and friends.  She was an avid reader and theater and movie-goer.  Her first love, though, was her family and friends.  She was the glue that held the extended family together.  No gathering was complete without a game of charades where no one was permitted to sit on the sidelines.

A memorial service will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at the Becker-Beal Funeral Home, 109 Greenway Cross, Belleville, WI.

A gathering of relatives and friends will precede the memorial service from 11:30 a.m. until time of services on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at the Becker-Beal Funeral Home in Belleville.

Donations can be made to the Belleville Public Library, Kiwanis Club of Belleville, Wisconsin Public Radio, or your local public radio.