Barbara Kaiser
Barbara Kaiser, age 91, of Quincy, died on November 5, 2026, at Barry Community Care Center. She was born on April 20, 1935, in Quincy, the daughter of Walter E. and Irene M. (Baker) Bunte. She married Micky “Mick” Kaiser on June 18, 1966, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Quincy.
She graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1953 and was honored as the Homecoming Queen her senior year. Barb continued her education at Belleville Junior College and Quincy College.
Barb taught for 40 years in the Catholic Schools. She taught at St. Philips school in East St. Louis from 1956 until 1958 before her return to Quincy. She then taught at St. Mary’s School from 1958 until 1962 and then St. Boniface School from 1962 until 1996. As a compliment to her dedication to students, she was one of the original Golden Apple Winners.
She had the privilege of being taught by the school Sisters of Notre Dame and later with them as a fellow teacher.
Barb was a lifelong member of St. Francis Church. She lived by a personal motto: Faith, Family, Friends.
Barbara’s friends were an important part of her life, keeping lifelong relationships with many of them. She always enjoyed seeing her former students. Barb kept a scrapbook of every card and picture she was given by them.
In her spare time, she enjoyed ceramics and painting the pieces she made. Many of these were given as gifts to her family and friends. She somehow found the time to work with the Ladies of Charity, which she thoroughly enjoyed.
Barb is survived by a brother Kenneth Bunte.
Brother and sister-in-law: Jim and Peggy Kaiser.
Nieces and nephews: Amy Kaiser, Cindy Archer, Melissa Elmore, Marty Sellers, Barb and Nobel, Jennifer Perez, Stacy Bunte, Kelly Holder, and Karen Klaviller; Michael Clow and Bryan Clow.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband Mick, her parents, sister Carol Clow, brother-in-law Earl Clow, brother Chuck Bunte, sister-in-law Marge Kaiser Purdy, John Purdy, Uncle Jack Bunte, Aunt Ester Baker, and grandparents Charles and Stella Baker and Louise and August Bunte.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, November 16, 2026 at 11:00 am at St. Francis Catholic Church. Interment in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday, November 16, 2026 from 9:30 until 10:30 at the Duker and Haugh Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to Ladies of Charity, St. Francis Church, Birthright and CareNet, or Quincy Illinois Veterans Home. Service arrangements are with the Duker and Haugh Funeral Home.
Barb and Mick were very dear people to the Blairs. Barb, our mom Marge, and a group of the greatest gals were all close friends since their school days. Barb was probably the last of that OG group. In her working years Barb would come by our house on Tuesdays after school to visit Mom, who was constantly working to take care of her growing family. I remember Mom saying Barb would ask what she could do to help and Mom would say Well, you can make me a sandwich! We have a lot of great pictures of a young Barb holding our twins, then another set of our twins…Maybe Margie was taking time for a bite in those moments. We/I have many of Barb’s beautiful ceramic pieces, like new and all signed on the bottom with her BK. In recent years I would tell her what a great artist she was, hoping she would remember. When I saw her for the last time in Barry a few weeks ago she looked straight at me and said “You miss me.” I sure do.
Barb ( she was “Miss Barbara” in my school days..She taught me in 3rd grade and was my favorite teacher 💕💕.
Barb was one of my favorite teachers. I will never forget her. She was great.
I’m sorry to hear of Barb’s passing. My mom, Margaret (McGee) Dixon and my dad, Glen McGee were friends of Barb and Mick. They were also my older sister’s godparents. I remember going by their house many times to visit.
I taught with Barb for two years at st. Boniface school We had many lively discussions over our lunch break in the library,
I enjoyed having her as a friend. I stayed in touch with her for many years. Condolences to her family.