Barbara "Barb" J. Dedrick of Grafton, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and proud educator, passed away on June 7, 2025 surrounded by her family. She was 72 years old.

Barbara was born on January 15, 1953 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to the late Raymond and Janet (Rodgers) Lahl.

On October 6, 1979, she was united in marriage to Daniel Dedrick in Fox Point, WI. In over 45 years of marriage, they created many special memories.

Though Barb arrived in the kingdom of God officially on June 7, she lived her entire life as if she was born with the wings of an angel. From the time she was born, to the day she passed, Barb exhibited a remarkable tranquility. Never angry, selfish or self-centered, her thoughts were always for others before herself. Throughout her life, Barb fulfilled the roles of child, sister, friend, wife, teacher, parent and grandparent with an unsurpassed dedication and devotion.

Her passion for teaching was found when she looked for a way to avoid daily chapel attendance her freshman year at Valparaiso University. She discovered, if she taught swimming lessons to special needs children, she would be excused from daily chapel. So she signed up to teach swimming and found her vocational passion. After her freshman year, she transferred to UWM where she completed her degree in Special Education, graduating in 1975 with honors. In the fall of 1975 she embarked on a 40 year teaching career in the Mequon-Thiensville schools, spending her first 15 years at Lakeshore Middle School and her last 25 years at Homestead High School. She was heavily involved in Best Buddies, a program that paired up special need students with students outside the special needs program. She also helped start up the Job Olympics, which was a task-oriented competition of job skills that was held annually between special needs students from different area school districts. For the 1989-90 school year, she was recognized by the State of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction as the District Special Services Teacher of the Year. In 2001 Barb was awarded a Masters Degree in Education from National Lewis University. Barb served as the Department Chair for many years and also was very involved in the process of helping her students transition from school to life after school.

As accomplished as she was as a teacher she was an even better parent to her children, Margot and Johnny. Whether it was advocating for them at school, enjoying time on Fence Lake in Lac du Flambeau, making holidays special or cheering them on at sporting events her children knew she was there for them 100%. The family enjoyed many vacations around the United States and had a memorable trip to France with Barb's mother, Janet in 2000.

A lifetime Congregationalist, Barb was proud to be a founding member of Ozaukee Congregational Church where she taught Sunday School and served on various boards over her 42 years as a member.

In retirement, Barb and husband Dan enjoyed trips to Italy, Great Britain, Ireland, Scandinavia, Greece, Africa and Mexico. With Barb's sister, Joan, and her husband Bob, Barb and Dan enjoyed escaping Wisconsin In February to spend time on Longboat Key in Florida.

In her final chapter, Barb encountered the awful illness of Alzheimer's with the the same grace with which she lived her entire life. She never complained, got angry or felt sorry for herself.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband Dan, her children Margot (Levi Fredrikson) Dedrick and John (Katie Meier) Dedrick, her grandchildren Django and Grace, along with her siblings Karen Reiss, Joan (Bob) Posorske and John Lahl.

The family would like to thank the staff at Azura Fox Point and Allay Hospice for their exceptional care and compassion that they showed Barb and her family.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Barb's name may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Ozaukee Congregational Church or Riveredge Nature Center.

A celebration of Barb's amazing life will be held at Ozaukee Congregational Church on Wednesday June 11 at 3:00 PM, with a reception following.