Barbara Watts Asmus

Barbara “Barb” Watts Asmus, 93, passed away peacefully Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in Petoskey. Barb was born March 19, 1932, at Cottage Hospital in Grosse Pointe, to Edward F. Bauman and Anita Goetzinger Bauman. She was her father’s tomboy and had a love for all things sports. She graduated from Grosse Pointe High School in 1949, then went to Purdue University. She transferred to Michigan State University in 1951. Within months, she found herself in East Lansing as a chosen “Dream Girl” for one of the big fraternities and on the homecoming court, riding in an open convertible, which she always loved to do.

Barb was born and raised a devout Christian. She was heavily involved at St. James Lutheran Church, teaching Sunday school and starting its Vacation Bible School program. Later, she also was very involved with the Grace Church Bible Study Fellowship and Historic Trinity Lutheran Church, where she was chosen as Woman of the Year in 2014, at age 82, and honored by the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, along with others from Missouri Synod Lutheran churches all over Michigan. Barb was an inspiration to many.

In 1951, her parents set her up on a blind date with Frank Watts, who became her husband and father of her three children, Bill, Jon and Wendy. Barb became a full-time homemaker and was very involved in her children’s academics, sports and church involvement.

After her divorce in 1976, Barb went to work in the nuclear medicine department at St. John Hospital (now Henry Ford St. John Hospital) in Detroit, doing medical transcribing for doctors and taking care of patients. She loved her job and the people she worked with, and they loved her.

Barb was an avid outdoor and travel enthusiast who lived a full and vivid life. She planned many ski trips, out West with family and in Europe with friends. She learned to co-pilot a Cessna 210, taught blind skiers to ski and raced in five Bayview to Mackinac races. Barb won multiple gold medals skiing with the Ford Thunderbird Ski Club well into her 80s, traveled to Alaska five times — and once was chased by a brown bear — and biked from Germany to Austria. She also went on a yacht trip in Croatia, snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef, completed five whitewater rafting trips in Class V rapids and went paragliding in New Zealand. Her list of adventures goes on and on.

Barb was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, at age 60. The experience changed her life and made her grow even deeper in her faith. Barb’s favorite Bible verse, Philippians 4:13, embodied her spirit throughout her life: “I can do all things, through Christ who strengthens me.”

In 2002, Barb married her loving second husband, Marv Asmus, a wonderful Christian and owner of Asmus Spice Co. After getting remarried, the travels continued for Barb and Marv. However, they were happiest at home with their families and grandchildren. After Marv passed away in 2014, Barb’s next love came into her life: her parti poodle, Sparty, named after the team she spent countless hours cheering for, the Michigan State Spartans.

In 2021, Barb moved to Petoskey to be closer to her daughter, son-in-law, son and grandson, and lived out the rest of her life along the beaches of Lake Michigan, riding in an open convertible and spending much time with her loved ones and beautiful great-grandchildren, whom she loved dearly.

Barb was predeceased by her husbands, Frank Watts and Marvin Asmus; and sister, Joan Baker. She is survived by her beloved children, Bill Watts of Clinton Township, Jon Watts of Harbor Springs and Wendy Morris (Jim) of Harbor Springs. She was the loving grandmother of 14 grandchildren and was blessed with 19 great-grandchildren and counting.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, at A.H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack, Grosse Pointe Woods. Visitation will continue at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 6, until an 11 a.m. memorial service at Historic Trinity Lutheran Church, 1345 Gratiot, Detroit. A luncheon will immediately follow at the church.

Memorial donations may be made to Historic Trinity Lutheran Church, 1345 Gratiot, Detroit, MI 48207, historictrinity.org/give/.

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