Barbara Jean Krieger

Barbara (Barb) Jean Krieger passed away on December 16, 2024. She was born July 12, 1941, in Hammond, Indiana, to James Oliver Williams and Rebbecca Ida Williams, both deceased. 

Barb grew up in Hammond and attended Indiana University, earning both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Education. While attending Indiana University, she met her future husband, Paul Krieger. They were married in 1964. Barb taught at Mooresville High School for several years prior to the birth of her daughter, Jennifer. 

In 1968, they moved to Lawrence, Kansas, while her husband pursued his PhD at the University of Kansas. While living in Kansas they welcomed their son, Brian. Barb taught night school in Kansas. Although they lived there for only six years, Barb remembered her time in Kansas fondly, and made several life-long friends.

Upon completion of Paul’s PhD studies, the family moved to Bloomington, Indiana, for several years while Paul completed his post-doc work. The family moved to Indianapolis in 1976. Barb was very involved in the Wayne Township School System. She substitute taught for over 45 years and was well-known in the district. Teachers often requested her as their substitute, and she developed a special relationship with many of the teachers at North Wayne Elementary.

Barb was active in the Presbyterian Church. She was a member of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church and later, John Knox Presbyterian Church. Barb loved reading, crossword puzzles, word searches, and baking. Everyone looked forward to her Christmas goodies, especially her peanut butter crunchies! She was also proud of the fact that she had visited every U.S. state.

In addition to her husband, Paul, Barb is survived by her daughter Jennifer (Mike) Fuller; son Brian (Kim) Krieger; granddaughter Rachel Krieger; grandson Kyle Krieger; sister Shirley (Jim) Benko; sisters-in-law Marge Larson and Mary McLaughlin; and three nephews – J.D. (Paul) Benko, Dan (Joy) Benko, and Paul (Debra) Swanson. Barb was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Donna Williams and Patricia Swanson; and her in-laws Donald and Dorothy Krieger.

A memorial service will be held at John Knox Presbyterian Church (3000 N. High School Road, Indianapolis, IN 46224) on December 27, 2024. Visitation will start at 10:00, with the service at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, please consider a charitable donation in Barb’s honor to John Knox Presbyterian Church (johnknox.org), the Colon Cancer Coalition (coloncancercoalition.org), or the charity of your choice.