Barbara B. Wills, 81, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Barbara Wills, 81, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, at Prairie Creek Assisted Living Memory Care in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Barbara Berene Olhausen was born May 10, 1939 to William and Thais Olhausen in Hartley. She attended and graduated from Hartley High School in 1957, where she would meet the love of her life, classmate Larry Wills. They would marry in 1958 as Larry began his service in the United States Air Force. While serving his country, they lived in North Dakota and Texas before making their home in Sioux Falls, S.D. Later they moved to Brandon, S.D. and eventually settled in Luverne, Minn. in 1977, raising their three children, Todd, Tracy and Thomas.

Barb worked for an accountant before becoming a stay-at-home mom for several years, and later worked as a cafeteria aide at the Luverne High School for over 25 years. She enjoyed her job, seeing and visiting with the students and her coworkers.

Barb loved to laugh! She and Larry were fortunate to share many laughs and good times with their lifelong friends. They enjoyed celebrating birthdays and special occasions, dressing up for Halloween parties, going to dances and playing games (cards and Boggle). Barb also learned how to play mahjong and loved welcoming friends for coffee at their house.

In retirement, Barb and Larry moved to Sioux Falls and enjoyed spending winters in Arizona with their snowbird friends. She cherished the additional time with their kids and grandchildren. She was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls.

Barb is preceded in death by her husband, Larry; father, William; mother, Thais; sister-in-law, Marilyn Olhausen; and infant grandson, Joseph Dale Morrill.

Grateful for having shared her life are her three children: Todd (Karen) Wills, of Mesa, Ariz.; Tracy (Dale) Morrill and Thomas (Wendy) Wills, both of Sioux Falls, S.D.; brother, Gary Olhausen (Olivia MacDonald), of Sioux Falls, S.D.; sister Nancy (Gary) Wenell, of Sioux City; grandchildren: Bethany Wills (Craig Reedy) and Andrew Wills, of Mesa, Ariz.; Mara Morrill, of Sioux Falls, S.D.; Morgan Morrill (Rex Lund), of Alexandria, Minn.; and a host of other relatives and special friends.

A memorial service was held on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, at Heritage Funeral Home in Sioux Falls.