Barbara Ann (Hunt) Elsasser – Bloomington, IL

Barbara Ann (Hunt) Elsasser, 82, of Bloomington, IL passed away peacefully at Carle BroMenn Hospital on Monday, January 5, 2026.

Private family services will be held at a later date.

Barb was born February 24, 1943 in Greeley, IA to Albert and Rosemary Hunt. After graduating from the University of Northern Iowa, she became a 5th and 6th grade teacher in Tipton, IA. She loved wrangling pre-teens that kept her on her toes—one time even discovering a snake hidden in her desk. While there, she met the love of her life, George Elsasser, and they wed on October 13, 1973. Eventually, Barbara went on to be the director of a Feeding America food bank in Cedar Rapids, IA, until her retirement in 2011.

After retirement, she continued to serve the community following a move to Bloomington, IL. She assisted in several classrooms at Sugar Creek Elementary School, spent some time volunteering at the YWCA, but found a home as one of the “pink coat ladies” who greeted, checked in, and assisted visitors to BroMenn Hospital. In 2024 she was recognized for 5000 hours of service. Through her work at the hospital, she made many dear friends that enriched her life.

Barb was an avid cook and baker and passed on her talent to her daughter, Beth. Her son, Stephen, also followed in her footsteps, recently joining the Board of Directors for Feeding America. Barbara loved to travel with George, her sister Nancy, and most recently explored Chicago with her two sons. She cherished spending time with her family and adored her 3 grandsons, who doted on their Nonnie as well.

Survivors include her children, Stephen Elsasser, Elizabeth (Jason) Mays, and Robert Elsasser; three grandsons, Ethan and Marcus Mays, and Roan Elsasser; brother Roger (Marianne) Hunt, sister Nancy (Johnny) Dodge, brother Michael (Deborah) Hunt, and brother William (RoseMary) Hunt.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband. Memorials may be directed to Feeding America or the Carle BroMenn Service Auxiliary.