Barbara Ann Oosterbaan

Barbara Ann Oosterbaan

November 25, 1938 – October 30, 2026

Barbara Ann Oosterbaan (nee Czajkowski) passed away on October 30, 2026, just shy of her 88th birthday, leaving behind a beautiful legacy of family, friendship, laughter, and love.

She was born on November 25, 1938, to the late Joseph Czajkowski and Virginia (Czajkowski) Durniat in Chicago, Illinois. At just 18 years old, she married the love of her life, Richard Oosterbaan. Together, they began building a life centered around family, hard work, and the many memories they would create along the way. She is lovingly remembered by her four children, Lynda (Tim) Lindholm, Ben (Mary Beth) Oosterbaan, Rich (Mary) Oosterbaan, and Barb (David) Kenyon; her seven grandchildren, Ryan (Maggie) Lindholm, Mallory (Taylor) Kistner, Rebecca (Greg) Marker, Katherine (Abhi Gupta) Oosterbaan, Jeremy Oosterbaan, Trey Kenyon, and Cole Kenyon; and her eight great-grandchildren, Grace, Lucy, Timothy, and Finn Lindholm; Olivia, Jackson, and Isabel Kistner; and Juliette Marker. She is also a dear aunt to many nieces and nephews. Barbara leaves many other family members and friends to cherish her memory. Barbara was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Richard Oosterbaan; and her siblings, Joseph and Ronald Czajkowski and Dorothy Bishton.

Barbara’s greatest joy in life was her family. She and Richard raised four children and nothing made her prouder than watching them grow, succeed, and create families of their own. She loved knowing what was happening in their lives and being included in the moments, both big and small, that mattered to them.

As her family grew, so did her pride. Barbara adored her 7 grandchildren and took great joy in watching them find their own paths. She attended every one of their high school graduations and several college graduations, always eager to celebrate their accomplishments. She loved watching her family grow through the generations and treasured the time they spent together.

Throughout her life, Barbara also spent many years working alongside her husband and son, Rich, sharing in the dedication and hard work that were part of their family’s story.

When Richard passed away 25 years ago, Barbara experienced one of the greatest heartbreaks of her life. Having loved him since she was a young woman, her loss was profound. But she continued to embrace life in her own way. Barbara remained independent, maintained wonderful friendships, traveled, and had a remarkable ability to make new friends wherever life took her. Her world continued to be filled with people, laughter, and the family she and Richard had built together.

Barbara lived a life rich in the things that mattered most to her. She loved her family, friendships, and celebrating the accomplishments of her family.

What began as a love story between two young people grew into a family spanning four generations. Barbara’s greatest happiness came from watching that family grow, and her greatest legacy will be the love, laughter, and memories they will carry forward.

She will always be remembered for her warm hugs and the happiness she found simply in being together.