Ed and Barbara Treick

NOT ONLY FOR THE WEALTHY

“I thought Barnabas Foundation was only for the wealthy,” said Ed Treick. He and his wife Barbara had been invited to attend Barnabas Foundation presentations at the Brookfield Christian Reformed Church, just west of Milwaukee, WI. But they never thought it was for them. After all, they were not one of those “wealthy” members.

But at a seminar put on by an association of property owners, Ed heard about a Charitable Remainder Trust for the first time. He didn’t know that they could make a gift and receive an income for life. Ed talked it over with Barbara. They decided that if God sent a buyer for their properties, they would consider such an arrangement. Two months later, God did and they kept their word.

Their decision came from a lifetime of community involvement and commitment to Christian causes. Ed and Barbara met when they were each leaders in the Young Republicans. He was from Newton, Wisconsin and grew up in the German Reformed Church. Barbara grew up in Milwaukee. She was a Catholic, but was not active in her church.

They began attending the First Christian Reformed Church in Sheboygan, Wisconsin on Sunday evenings because she found the sermons of Pastor Henry Exoo to be intriguing. He helped Barbara with catechism instruction after the evening services. Barbara made profession of faith in Sheboygan with several elders of the Brookfield church in attendance.

They have attended Brookfield Christian Reformed Church for many years now, where both of them have been active. Ed has served as both a deacon and an elder. In addition to their involvement there, Ed has been involved in Partners for Christian Development and the Christian Business Men’s Committee in Milwaukee. Barbara has been active with Wisconsin Right to Life and has served on the board of Bethany Christian Services of Wisconsin. They are both active in overseas missions projects.

The Treick’s have three grown children, Mark, Kimberly, and Heather. Ed was a Division Manager for WH Brady in Milwaukee for about 19 years. He and Barbara then owned S-F Analytical Laboratory for 17 years. Over the years, they acquired a number of townhouses in Brookfield.