Barbara Jo Dudeck (Mugge), age 68 of Mesa, died Sunday, May 12 surrounded by her family. The daughter of Bob and Marilyn Mugge (Mann) was born on December 24, 1944 in Spencer, Iowa. She started Kindergarten in, and graduated from, Greenville-Rossie School in 1962. While at school she was active in 4H, Speech and Athletics including Basketball and Softball. One of her best memories was showing cattle at the Clay County Fair.

She attended business school in Omaha, Nebraska. Upon graduation she moved to Chicago and worked for Western Union. She met and married Gerald Dudeck in 1964 and moved to LaPorte, Indiana where they raised their two sons. In 1992 they relocated to Mesa, Arizona.

In Indiana Barbara worked for Sears for 17 years first as a bookkeeper and eventually being promoted to Assistant Manager. After moving to Arizona she became a Bank Teller at Bank of America. She also enjoyed being a greeter at BofA and was so loved by the clients that they would choose to come another day if Barbara wasn't working.

In Arizona Barbara enjoyed hiking with her husband, Jerry, and their hiking pals the Wild Wild West Hikers.

Barbara was an avid reader of mysteries and suspense; she loved travelling and politics and keeping up with current events. Every year she looked forward to her trek back to Iowa for the Clay County Fair where her Father would put her to "work" hawking leather goods and Southwestern wear alongside her Mother and two Sisters.

Barbara was always at the ready to fly to California to spend time with her cherished grandsons and never wanted to miss a Grandmothers' day at their school.

Survivors include Jerry, her Husband of 49 years and their two sons Daniel (Kim) Dudeck of Stevenson Ranch, California and Steven Dudeck of Los Angeles, California. Her Grandchildren include Jack and Ethan Dudeck of Stevenson Ranch, CA. Sisters include Kathryn (Tom) Goeken of Everly, Iowa and Robin Mugge of Spirit Lake, Iowa. Mother-in-law: Veronica Dudeck of LaPorte, Indiana. Sister-in-law: Lynda (Michael) Kuhn of Rolling Prairie, Indiana.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her Father-in-law, Stanley Dudeck.