She was born February 20, 1946 in DeKalb, IL to Ira and Hazel Plager. Barbara grew up in DeKalb and in high school met Gene Bradford from Genoa, IL. They dated and attended his Senior Prom together in 1964. After graduating from DeKalb High School she graduated from Rockford Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1967. She and Gene were married on June 15, 1968. They moved to Genoa in 1971.

Barb was a homemaker, babysitter, Sunday school teacher and Girl Scout Troop Leader thru the 1980's. When Gene owned Gene's Market in Genoa, Barb operated the tangent bakery.

She was an active member of Faith United Methodist Church of Genoa, P.E.O, and volunteer for local organizations including the Kishwaukee Valley Heritage Society and Genoa Public Library.

Barb always had a baking, gardening or sewing project in her hands. She enjoyed making cakes and pies and spending time with her friends in the community and visits with her family. Since retirement in 2005 she and Gene enjoyed exploring the world with tropical vacations and fall driving tours around Lake Michigan. However she was often just as content close to home with a good antiques fair and Midwestern pot luck dinner.

Barb is survived by her loving spouse of 52 years, Gene Bradford of Genoa; daughters and their spouses, Cherie and Rich Kraft of West Chicago, and Kris and Ken LaCerda of Chicago; four grandchildren: Cassidy Kraft of West Chicago, Elliot Kraft of New Brunswick NJ, Benicio and Augustus LaCerda both of Chicago. She is survived also by her two brothers and their spouses Robert and Elaine Plager of Naples, FL and Gary and Jan Plager of Golden Valley MN., as well as sister-in-law Ruth Ann Cronin with spouse Barry Cronin of Ft. Meyers Fla. Barbara has four nieces and one nephew.

She is preceded in death by her parents Ira and Hazel Plager.

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A memorial fund will be established at Faith United Methodist Church in Genoa in care of the Slater-Butala Funeral Home, 132 W. Main St., Genoa, IL. 60135.

To sign the online guest book or share a special memory,  go to www.ButalaFuneralHomes.com