Barbara Ann Harkins Belle passed away on October 26, 2022, in Verona, Wisconsin. Barbara was born on July 21, 1926, in Elkhorn, WI, to Kellogg William and Laura Elizabeth (Dopke) Harkins.

She was married to Robert Lowell Belle on September 10, 1949, in Appleton, WI. She graduated from Appleton High School and Lawrence University (English) both of Appleton, WI, and attended American University, D.C.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband; parents; and siblings, Marjorie Harkins Buchanan Kiewit, William Kellogg Harkins and John Charles Harkins.

She is survived by her children, Jonathan Robert Goldberg Belle (Elissa) and Christine Ann Belle (Kurt Neumann); grandchildren, Staci (John), Keren, Robert, Matthew, Kristopher, and Luke (Abby); great-grandchildren, Tyler and Rowan; many nieces and nephews; and dear friends.

Barbara was active in clubs and organizations throughout her life, including Kappa Alpha Theta, the Attic Theater, League of Women Voters, Cub Scouts, Girls Scouts, Friends of the Belleville Public Library, Library Board, Belleville Historical Society, Kiwanis Club of Belleville, and the Belleville Cultural Foundation.

When the family moved to Madison, Barbara began a long and enjoyable career at Wisconsin Public Radio. Barbara traveled extensively through the US and abroad with family and friends. She was an avid reader and theater and movie-goer. Her first love, though, was her family and friends. She was the glue that held the extended family together. No gathering was complete without a game of charades where no one was permitted to sit on the sidelines.

A memorial service will be held at 12:30 p.m., on Saturday, November 5, 2022, at the Becker-Beal Funeral Home, 109 Greenway Cross, Belleville, WI. A gathering of relatives and friends will precede the memorial service from 11:30 a.m. until time of services on Saturday, November 5, 2022, at the Becker-Beal Funeral Home in Belleville.

Donations can be made to the Belleville Public Library, Kiwanis Club of Belleville, Wisconsin Public Radio, or your local public radio.

An online memorial with guestbook is available at http://www.bealfuneralhomes.com.