Barbara Ann Falck

Barbara Falck Bradford, 89, of Lake Geneva, passed away on Saturday, August 10, 2024, embraced by the love of her family. She leaves behind many family members and friends who will miss her dearly.

Barb was born in Chicago on February 26, 1935, to Benjamin and Mary (Stedman) Baum. She had one older sister, Mary Jane (Faust) Lynch, and graduated high school in Appleton, WI. At 89, she still cherished friendships from her RN training at Evanston School of Nursing, Northwestern University. Barb married Richard Falck on September 11, 1955, in Appleton. Then, on May 22, 1994, she married Ray Bradford of Crystal Lake, IL. Barb was truly called to be a mother, devoting her life to raising her four daughters, who have fond memories of her baking chocolate chip cookies, playing the piano, joyfully singing, and always putting her family first. When her children were in school, Barb returned to nursing and enjoyed the challenges of serving in a mental health unit, a children’s home, and elder care.

Barb was a devoted Methodist all her life. She was a member of numerous clubs and church groups; most dear to her heart were Stephen Ministries and the women’s philanthropic educational organization PEO. She loved passing on her love of Christ.

Barb was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Bradford of Crystal Lake; sister, Jane Faust Lynch of Chicago; niece Valerie Lynch Lee of Geneva, IL; son-in-law Michael Hedges of Sheffield, IL; step-daughter Lisa Bradford Davies of Crystal Lake; and grandson, Jacob Grieff of Chicago, IL.

Remaining to cherish her fondly are her children Mary (Jeff) Grieff of Princeton, IL; Suzanne (Lee Yi) Falck-Yi of Forest City, IA; Elizabeth (Michael) Maish of Princeton; Kristi (Terry) McCarthy of Lake Geneva, WI; 13 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

The family will greatly miss their cherished mother and grandmother. Her ever-present smile will live in their memories for years to come.

Memorials can be directed to First Church of Crystal Lake , PEO , or St. Judes Children's Research Hospital .

Visitation will be from 8:00 – 10:45 AM on Saturday, August 17, with a Celebration of Life service at 11:00 AM at First Church of Crystal Lake, IL. Burial will follow at Windridge Cemetery in Cary.

To sign the online guest registry please click the "Share a Memory" box on the left side of your screen.

Derrick Funeral Home of Lake Geneva is honored to be assisting Barbara's family.

First Church of Crystal Lake
236 W. Crystal Lake Ave., Crystal lake IL 60014
Tel: 1-815-459-0785
Email: info@firstchurchcl.org
Web: https://www.firstchurchcl.org/give

PEO International
3700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines IA 50312
Tel: 1-515-255-3153
Web: https://www.peointernational.org/make-a-gift/#donate

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
262 Danny Thoma Place, Memphis TN 38105
Tel: 1-800-805-5856
Web: http://www.stjude.org/