Barbara Georgine (Grotte) Wolter, age 98, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 21, 2023 at Sun City Senior Living Facility in Sun City, Florida. Barbara was born on June 23, 1924 in Cornell, where she spent the first five years of her life, then moved to Milwaukee, WI. In 1935, Barbara met her future husband, Arthur Wolter at Keefe Avenue Grade School in 6th Grade at a violin recital, then they shared many musical classes while in High School. Their actual courtship began through a Music Teacher at a Weenie Roast on Lake Michigan in 10th Grade. She graduated from Rufus King High School in 1942 with a music scholarship. After Barbara finished school, she worked at First Wisconsin National Bank as an IBM Operator and worked there until she married Arthur on August 31, 1946 at Zebaoth Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, WI. She then worked at Marine National Bank in Milwaukee for three years. Their first born, Pamela was born in 1948 and then their son, Larry was born in 1951. They moved to Skokie, IL in 1956, then moved to Waukegan, IL in 1957. They later moved to Silver Spring, MD in 1960. Her third child, Melanie was born in 1965. Between 1963-1972, Barbara worked at American Security National Bank and the Armed Forces Chaplaincy Commission, both located in D.C. The remaining years, she was a homemaker. After her husband retired in 1984, they moved to Deerfield Beach/Boca Raton, FL, and then 8 years later, they returned to Olney, MD to spend more time with their adult children and grandchildren. After Barbara's husband, Arthur passed in 1999, she moved to Riverview, FL in 2005 to live with her daughter, Pam and son-in-law, Jim. She developed Parkinson's in her later years, so in 2018, she went into Memory Care at The Crossings at Riverview and then transferred to Sun City Senior Living in Sun City, FL in 2021, where she spent her remaining days.

Barbara was very talented throughout her life. She played the piano, viola and sang in chorus while at school and in church choirs. She sang with the Romany Singers (girls chorus) from 1942-1954, where they performed on TV and radio. For many years to follow, she remained very close with Gloria Rodriquez, who was the vocal instructor at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, who led the Romany Singers. She had a beautiful alto voice. Over the years, she built beautiful rock gardens and planted beautiful flowers, and was an expert on pulling weeds. She played in Bridge clubs beginning in 1962 for many years while living in Silver Spring, MD. Barbara wasn't fond of water, but she loved collecting shells on any beach. She loved watching sports on TV, especially Tiger Woods and baseball. She loved going to baseball games over the years as well. She was a fabulous cook. Sundays were often roast beef, potatoes, greens and rolls following church; during the holidays and special occasions, she baked the best apple pie, apple Kuchen, pumpkin pie, cookies, etc. She loved coffee and chocolate and occasionally, wine (Port to be specific). She loved writing letters, in particular to her husband, Arthur while they were dating and he was serving in the European Theatre in WWII, and to distant relatives and friends over the years. She loved sending birthday cards, making donations to various charities and helping out family members in need over the years. This was important to her. Barbara was an avid book reader. She was very efficient and organized. She would write the names of people and dates on the back of all the pictures she had so she wouldn't forget. In 1972 (at age 48) she studied and became an artist in oil painting. She painted many landscape paintings over the years from pictures she had taken, as well as painting on location. She won awards as member of the Rockville, MD Art League. She was a part of many Art shows at the Civic Center and had her paintings at the Gift Shop at the Mansion in Rockville, MD. Today, many of her family members have her paintings in their homes. She and her husband had a time-share in the Bahamas in the 1980's that they enjoyed every January. A lot of family members would join them. These were very memorable times for Barbara. She was a collector of toothpick holders, cups and saucers, parrots and spoons and loved to peruse antique and gift shops. Most importantly, she loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and enjoyed attending many of their functions over the years. Barbara had a strong belief in God. She believed that the Holy Spirit was with her every day and she looked forward to meeting Jesus in the next life.

Barbara is survived by her three children: Pamela Legge (James), Larry Wolter (Wendy) and Melanie Cummings (Rick); nine grandchildren: Sean Legge, Adrienne Van Buren (Michael), Brandon Legge (Carrie), Ryan Legge (Melissa), Stefanie Ford (Ty), Brett Wolter (Jennifer), Rebecca Wolter, Lindsay Cummings and Zachary Cummings (Kristen); 13 great grandchildren: Erik Legge, Mariah Legge, Alex Van Buren, Samantha Van Buren, Anastazia Van Buren, Brandon Legge, Jr., Thomas Legge, Savanna Legge, Gavin Legge, Isabel Cummings, Jax DeMarco, Marshall Wolter and Miles Ford; her sister, Mary (Grotte) Borden; Goddaughter: Sharon (Wolter) Murphy; and other Nieces and Nephews, family members and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Wolter, Jr.; parents: Gustave and Rosella (Palbitska) Grotte; three siblings: June Drought (Harold), Margot "Peggy" Adam (John) and Joseph Grotte (Grace); Nephew: Ricky Adam; Niece: Susan (Adam) Drum. On April 23 (two days following her death), her Goddaughter, Barbara (Adam) Johnson passed away.

Barbara's Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Christ The King Lutheran Church, 11421 Big Bend Road, Riverview, FL 33579. Lunch will follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial contribution in Barbara's name to the Parkinson's Foundation, Lifepath Hospice or Christ The King Lutheran Church.