Heather Nicole Voigt
PORTAGE – Heather Nicole Voigt, age 49, of Portage passed away on December 11, in her home. Heather was born to Larry and Jane (Richmond) Barrows on October 10, 1974 in Tacoma Washington. She moved with her family to Portage in 1980 in time to start elementary school at Fort Winnebago where she found life long friends. Heather graduated from Portage High School in 1993 and MATC in 1995. As a senior in high school, she started dating the man she would marry and with whom she would build a family. Heather and Andy were married on June 7, 1997 and children Walker (2001) and Molly (2004) would soon join them.
Heather tried her hand at a lot of jobs, including occupational therapy assistant, bank teller, bus driver and school lunch lady, but none were more important than being a mom. She loved her children fiercely and tenderly at the same time. She volunteered in classrooms, chaperoned school trips and drove kids to sporting & other events near and far. Yet she still found time to be a loving wife, helpful daughter, awesome sister and great friend to many.
Heather’s life took a significant turn when she was diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer in August of 2020. Radiation, chemotherapy and a major surgery later she was declared cancer free early in 2021. The elation of that news was short lived as she learned it was back and spreading by the end of that year. She spent the last couple of years living life to its fullest and making sure that her family was prepared to succeed in her absence. Her family will be forever grateful to Dr. James Huen, all of the staff and nurses at the specialty clinic and infusion center at St. Clare Hospital in Baraboo, and all of the medical professionals who assisted her along the way at UW Hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital and from SSM Hospice.
Heather is survived by her husband W. Andrew Voigt, children Walker & Molly, her parents Larry and Jane Barrows and her brother and sister-in-law, Jason and Susan Barrows. She is further survived by Andy’s parents, Bill and Eleanor Voigt and sister-in-law Katie Voigt and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Heather also leaves behind a list of friends too long to mention but Chris and Kate, the game night girls, Scott & Wendy and Tammy Wood need to be mentioned for their positive impact on her life, especially in her final days. She is preceded in death by all of her grandparents.
Heather also had a penchant throughout her life for “rescuing” animals that she believed were in need. More than once, Andy accused her of trying to start her own zoo. To that end and in lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be directed to the Columbia County Humane Society in Heather’s name or to a charity of one’s choice.
A memorial visitation will be held at the Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage, on January 6, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Heather was never a formal person, so comfortable clothes are encouraged!
