Barbara Jean Nissen (nee Berryman), 78, of Green, MI, died on the evening of March 14th at Marquette General Hospital after a long health battle.

Barbara was born in the Copper Country on November 25th, 1934 and joined in marriage to John Wilbert Nissen on September 18th, 1954. Married for almost forty-five years before her husband's death in 1999, her husband and family were the center of her life. She was a good cook and baker and loved to make cookies, pies, homemade bread, cinnamon rolls and especially pasties. She labored in the profession as a short-order cook for many years working in Ontonagon, MI. After her husband's death in 1999, and through the pain of rheumatoid arthritis, Barb carried on a beloved family memory by teaching herself to play the accordion in honor of her husband's proficiency on the instrument. In this endeavor, like so many others, she showed her strong sense of determination and resilient work ethic. Barb loved to read mysteries and watch detective stories. For the majority of her life, her favorite activities involved preparing for family holidays and visits to her home in Green.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, John Nissen, parents Roy and Ruth Berryman and siblings Robert, June, Harold, Emeline, Clyde and Fern. She is survived by siblings Gordon, Ronald and Faye Berryman. She is also survived by her children: Ruth (Bill) Pendaz of Champion, MI, Jon (Gayle) Nissen of Ellsworth, WI and Robert Nissen of Marquette, MI; grandchildren Sadie Pendaz, Faye (Eric) Geary, Emily Nissen, John Henry Nissen and Harlan Pendaz; great-grandchildren Jered and Autumn Steinke. Other family, family friends and loved ones also mourn her passing.

Visitation and funeral services were held on Tuesday, March 19 at Cane Funeral Home in Ontonagon, MI.

Burial and a graveside service will take place at Liminga-Redridge Cemetery in Stanton, MI on Friday, May 24, 2013 at 3 p.m.