Barbara Ann (Hassler) Lazewski, 74, of Madison, Wisconsin, died on Sunday, August 2, 2026, from complications following heart surgery on April 29.

Barbara was born in St. Louis, Missouri on Friday, June 13, 1952, the first child of Paul and Pat Hassler. Barbara excelled in school and put herself through university and earned her undergraduate degree from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau. She completed her master’s degree in library science at the University of Illinois in Champaign Urbana where she met her cute husband, Tony. While waiting two long years for Tony to finish his dissertation so they could wed, Barbara worked as a children’s librarian at the Baden branch in St. Louis.

Barbara’s entire post babysitting career was in libraries. She was a page at her childhood library, put herself through school by working at university libraries, was a corporate librarian at Rayovac in Madison prior to her decades long career at Steenbock Memorial Library at the University of Wisconsin. While at Steenbock, Barbara pioneered experiential, hands-on learning of library skills to all of the University’s biology students. Prior to her innovation, lecture and demonstration was the preferred teaching method. She was also a well-respected UW Extension librarian. Barbara was named librarian of the year by the University of Wisconsin Central Library System in 1999 which was an exceptional honor as a part time librarian.

While work was important to Barbara, she cared deeply for her family. Barbara loved being married to Tony and going on dates with her husband. She loved her girls, daughters Laura and Lisa. Barbara valued family dinners and it was rare an evening was missed while her girls were growing up. She was proud of her daughters and celebrated all their accomplishments over the years. She dearly loved her grand girls, Mila and Lena, who brought her great joy. As a grandma, Barbara loved reading with her granddaughters, especially Mother Goose nursery rhymes when they were small and in recent years, she loved playing games such as Candy Land, Crazy 8s and SkipBo, even though she rarely won. As a long-distance grandma she did an excellent job of being present and involved via multiple visits each year, FaceTime video calls, and mailed letters.

Barbara was an avid reader who read a book a day for most of her life. She strongly believed that reading is one of life’s greatest joys. She also enjoyed sewing and quilting. She donated countless fidget quilts for the Alzheimer’s and dementia patients at University of Wisconsin Hospital along with baby quilts through Blackhawk Church’s Mother and Child Resource Ministry. She crocheted and loom knitted hats for the homeless through the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Dane County. Another passion of Barbara’s was Broadway shows, and she enjoyed her excellent season tickets to the Overture Center and many trips to New York City to take in shows. She was a thoughtful and creative gift giver who loved a good gadget.

Quality over quantity is a value Barbara lived out in her life. She prioritized time with her friends and family, from potlucks, to playing board and card games, to vacations. While Barbara preferred not to drive, she still drove herself to St. Louis at least three times a year to visit her family and drove twice a year to visit her childhood best friend in Indiana. She enjoyed visits to the thrift store, factory tours and local museums. Barbara was a generous friend and neighbor and often provided meals, either sending them home with leftovers or dropping meals off in times of need. Her family and friends knew they could count on Barbara to pray for them and that Barbara trusted God above all else.

Barbara is survived by her daughters Laura, Lisa (Bryan), granddaughters Mila and Lena, her siblings Bob (Marlene), Joanne (Ken), Nancy (Mike) and John, nieces and nephews and many wonderful friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tony, and her parents Paul and Pat Hassler.

Per her request, there will not be a funeral or memorial service. If you would like to bless the family with a gift, please share a memory of Barbara with her daughters.

Please share your memories of Barbara by posting in her guestbook, below.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road Madison

(608) 238-3434