Barbara 'Babs' Booker

ROCKFORD, Ill. - Barbara "Babs" (Marander) Booker, 87, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 11, 2016, surrounded by her family at Alden Debes Nursing Home in Rockford after a short illness.

She was born Feb. 2, 1929, in Ironwood, Mich., the daughter of Herman Marander and Marie (Kleimola) (Marander) Brottlund.

She graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1947. Soon after she moved to Evanston. Later moving to Rockford, where she worked for many years at the Register Star newspaper as a linotype operator. Barb worked 16 years for the city of Rockford in the Community Development Department. Upon her retirement Mayor Charles Box presented her with the Key to the City.

She is survived by: children, Pam (Gale) Rigotti and David (Lydia) Booker; grandchildren, Melissa Booker, Allisson Booker and Rio Rigotti; six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents; son, Robert "Robbie" Booker Jr .; brothers, Wendell Marander, Keith Marander, Donald Marander, Homer Marander and Arthur Brottlund; and sister, Dorothy (Marander) Feyerabend.

Arrangements are being handled by Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 17. Burial will be held in the spring in Lakeview Cemetery in Ironwood.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Salem Lutheran Church, 333 E. Aurora St., Ironwood MI 49938

Express online condolences at: fitzgeraldfh.com.