Barbara Lee Mitkos

Mrs. Barbara Lee (Macke) Mitkos passed away peacefully at Agrace Hospice after battling with
ALS/Lou Gehrig's disease for multiple years at 9:49 AM on September 6, 2018, surrounded by
her loving husband and family. She was 68-years-young.
Barb was born in Duquoin, IL, on October 4, 1949 to Lowell E. and Martha L. Macke, whom she
loved very much. On August 6, 1966, she married the late SSgt James L. Keller. After James's
passing in April of 1968, she married Lynn H. Mitkos on September 5, 1969, who affectionately
called her his 'Barbie'; they loved and adored each other for 49 wonderful years.

Barb was very active and loved to keep busy by caring for her five children as a housewife and
stay-at-home mother, then in the caring for her grandchildren and great-grandson. She loved
her family unconditionally, no matter how many times they may have made mistakes, she was
there to love and support them always. After her children were grown, she treasured the times
when they would come home for visits. One of her favorite things to do with her kids was holiday
baking; it was a time of pure enjoyment with lots of laughter. She also really enjoyed rushing to
make everyone's bed the minute their feet hit the floor. She was a true angel who had a special
way of making everyone who walked through the door feel loved and cared for, regardless of
who they were.
Barb will be loved and dearly missed by her surviving husband, Lynn Mitkos; children, Tammy
(Jeff) Ennis, Michelle Molina, Tim (Kristin) Mitkos, Debra Swann and Katrina Bristol; her 14
grandchildren and one great-grandson; siblings Carol (Edward) Thomas and Robert Macke.
She is preceded in death by her father and mother, Lowell E. and Martha L. Macke; brother
Eugene Macke; and first husband James Keller.
The family would like to thank the Agrace staff, Sierra Jiran, RN, and Renae Abbott, CNA, for
their wonderful in-home care and all the Inpatient Unit staff who helped make her final days
peaceful.
Barb will be laid to Eternal Rest at Valhalla Cemetery in Belleville, IL. In lieu of flowers, a
memorial donation to Agrace Hospice & Palliative Care at agrace.org/donate or mailed to 5395
E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI, 53711 in her name would be greatly appreciated.