Barbara Ann Sommer Huljak

took her final trip, this time to the pearly gates, on September 21, 2026 leaving behind her husband Bob, children Jen, John and Craig (m. Abigail) and 11 grandchildren (Jack, Sommer, Tucker, Sofia, Konner, Ryan, Ruth, Olive, Ace, Red & Lou) with broken hearts but so many memories.

Barbara was born July 11, 1947 in Madison, Wisconsin to Henry and Evelyn Heber Behrnd . She was raised by Evelyn and her adoptive father, Leonard Sommer, along with her younger siblings: Connie, Patty and Dennis. As an adult, Barb met her half-sister, Menzi Behrnd and reconnected with Henry in his later years. As a Sommer, Barb grew up ice skating every winter and going to her grandparent’s Lake Wisconsin home every summer, when she learned to water ski. At the age of 70, she skied on Lake Wisconsin once again, proving that she hadn’t lost the skill or desire in over 6 decades.

Barbara loved all things French, majoring in the language in college, studying for a summer at Dijon University, learning the cuisine (her specialties included French onion soup, crème brûlée and chocolate crepes) and visiting multiple times with family throughout her life including a cherished canal cruise out of Dijon with Bob in more recent years.

Barb met Bob Huljak camping with friends in the summer of 1967. Barb immediately transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to join Bob from which they both graduated. After graduation, they married on June 21, 1969. Bob’s work would take the couple many places including Kingston, NY, Lexington, KY, Binghamton, NY, Fort Wayne, IN and Garland, TX. Barb always created a family of friends wherever she went, but particularly in Lexington with what became known as the Boston Road group. It was Barb that chose their retirement city: Nashville, TN where she enjoyed rubbing elbows with her favorite country singers and hosting many family and friends. Barb made the most of all locations, taking advantage of nearby attractions, hosting family and friends and redecorating each new home including making her own curtains and blinds.

Yes, one of Barb’s skills was sewing. In her 50’s, Barb even started her own online business called Sommertime Gifts for which she handmade and sold personalized baby blankets and cross-stitched names and initials. She also had previously worked at an insurance company and at her son Craig’s high school in Fort Wayne, which he surely loved.

A volunteer job very close to Barb’s heart was the years she spent at Dreams and Wishes of TN where she worked on fundraising for young people with cancer. During this time, she became close friends with Tanya Sturm who became family through the years and a vital friend, caregiver and advocate for Barb as her life took an unplanned course.

Traveling and planning their travels was another joy for Barb. Europe was, of course, a favorite destination. But, family trips to Disney World were also a highlight for her, both with her children as a young family and later with the grandkids. ‘It’s a Small World’ was unsurprisingly one of her favorite rides, both for the views and the speed. Yearly girl trips with her sisters and

cousins were precious to her, this time for the shopping and the wine. As the Huljak family grew, Barb made it a priority to organize a family get-together somewhere just to ensure she could get a yearly group picture.

Throughout her life, Barb was a consummate host, who loved to gather with people she loved, cook for them, make drinks for them, decorate and plan. Her big smile, sideways looks and great sense of humor will be remembered by the many people who were fortunate enough to be invited to her dinners.

Of all the things that Barb loved, maybe at the top of her list were her dogs. She housed, doted on and spoiled many Beagles over many years. Not one of them was remotely trained, but they were all as devoted to her as she was to them. We are certain the Beagle rescuers of Tennessee will miss her.

Family was Barb’s epicenter. It was her heart, the purpose from which all her plans and trips, drinks and meals, curtains and costumes, sweet treats and gifts, games and puzzles, hugs and kisses emanated. She lived and breathed for her parents, her sisters, her children, her grand-children and for us all. She wanted nothing more than to be together with those she loved and maybe to share a bottle of wine and some good cheese.

Although Alzheimer’s changed the path that she and Bob had planned for their later years, it did not change the best things about Barb. She kept her sense of adventure, her love of family, her love of dogs, her love for Bob; she was able to communicate and laugh and crack jokes with impeccable timing; she appreciated good food, good music and good drinks; she was able to walk and wander and putter in the garden; she was able to dance and sing and hug the people she loved all the way through to the very end. We are grateful for this time and these memories. They will sustain us until we see her again on the other side, where I am sure we’ll be met with good food, strawberry daiquiris, a couple of chores and endless laughs.

We are also extremely grateful for the caregivers at Abe’s Garden and Alive Hospice, who held Barb’s hand down a hard path with extraordinary caring, compassion, love and guidance. We will forever be grateful for their gentle embrace around Barb and all of us on this journey that was simultaneously challenging and beautiful. Her caregivers have assured us that Barb left a legacy at Abe’s Garden memory support as well.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Dreams and Wishes of Tennessee, Alive Hospice or Abe's Garden Community in Nashville. A Celebration of Life is planned at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Nashville, TN on Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 10am. Immediately following Mass please join the family for a celebration of life luncheon at the Cathedral’s Fleming Center. An additional service will be held in Wisconsin at a later date.