Barbara Zanoni

Barbara Jean Zanoni (Price) passed away peacefully at UW Hospital in Madison, WI, on May 11th, 2025. She was born to James and Pearl Price in Janesville, WI, April 24th, 1929, and was preceded in death by her loving husband David Eugene Zanoni October 10th, 2010.

Barbara grew up in Albany, WI, with her younger brother James Price. She had a passion for music from an early age, began piano lessons at age 7, and started playing for the United Methodist Church and Choir at age 12.  She attended Albany Elementary school and graduated from Albany High School in 1947.  In high school, she played the alto saxophone in the marching band, sang in the choir, and was a cheerleader. Barbara also met the love of her life and future husband David Zanoni in 7th grade. 

After graduating from high school, Barbara was honored to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in music (1947-1951).  She was a member of the Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI) music sorority and received the Sword of Honor pin. She also was a member of Pi Lambda Theta, an honorary education sorority and sang in the UW Choir. During the summers, she worked at the Indiana Condensed Milk Company.  Barbara received her Bachelor of Music degree with honors in 1951.

In 1951-52, Barbara taught Grades 1-8 General Music, the girls choir, and accompanied the high school choir in Shawano, WI.  On June 13, 1953, Barbara and David were married when he returned from a 2-year military deployment in Germany, and they moved to Madison. After settling in Madison, she accepted a position to teach Grades 1-8 General Music and high school choir in Oregon, WI (1952-57). 

David went to work in the Heating and Air Conditioning trade while Barbara became a devoted mother caring for their three children. She also began a career as a piano teacher around this time, was a member of MAPTA (Madison Area Piano Teachers Association) and SAI. During this time, Barbara and David became charter members (1953) of Sherman Avenue United Methodist Church where Barbara worked tirelessly as an organist and choir director and served on multiple church committees until 2020.

As David’s career progressed, he started two businesses: Lake City Heating and Air Conditioning and eventually Lakeland Temperature Designs where Barbara worked in the front office. As the success of the business grew, Barbara and David earned 11 trips through the York corporation and were able to travel around the world.

They were also able to fulfill a dream of purchasing land and building a cabin in 1970 on Lost Land Lake in Sawyer County, WI. Barbara, David, their children Mark, Lisa and Stephen and their pets spent many happy days on the lakes and in the woods in the area.  The family still enjoys their time at the cabin.

Family was a vital part of Barbara’s life. She kept a list of family and other dear friends, and called those individuals on a regular basis in order to keep in touch.

Barbara was a passionate political progressive. It was something she talked about her entire life. She did campaign work for city, county, state, and federal candidates. Barbara believed fiercely in the need to stand up for the rights of marginalized people, the need to defend our life-sustaining environment, and encouraged her children and grandchildren to do the same.

She was an avid Badger fan, loved the city of Madison, PBS, WPR, all kinds of sweets, all pets, classical music, gardening and attending Madison Symphony Orchestra and Organ concerts.

Barbara will be greatly missed by her loving family, friends, and neighbors.

Barbara is survived by her brother James, her children Mark (Michelle) of Eau Claire, WI, and their children, Shane and Justin; daughter, Lisa (Joe) Wendolek of Stevens Point, WI, and their children Matthew, Melissa, and Kaitlyn; and son, Stephen (Dawn) of Madison, WI and their son, Zachary.

A Memorial Service will be held at Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge Chapel, 5565 Tancho Drive, Madison, WI 53718 on Friday, June 13 at 1:30 p.m. Reception to follow.

The family would like to thank her neighbors for keeping an eye on her while she was still living at home, Bristol Hospice Care, UW Hospital Care, and Oakwood Seasons & Meadows’ staff.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wisconsin Public Radio, Public Broadcasting Service Wisconsin (PBS), Madison Symphony Orchestra, or The Nature Conservancy.

To view her obituary or leave a memory, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

2418 N. Sherman Avenue

608-249-8257