Barbara Martina Howard, age 89, of Oakley, KS passed away Friday, February 24, 2023, at Logan County Senior Living, Oakley. She was born September 17, 1933, in Quinter, KS to Martin and Matilda (Herman) Rohr. She was raised on a farm south of Quinter with her 10 siblings.
Barbara was united in marriage to Kenneth Howard at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in a double wedding with her sister, Amelia (Rohr), and Delano Schwindt on August 25, 1952. Barbara and Kenneth were married 63 years before Kenneth’s passing in 2016.
Barbara was known far and wide for her wonderful baked goods. Her pies and sticky buns were divine. If she wasn’t baking, she was in her garden tending to the most thriving plants. She enjoyed canning her garden’s produce and sharing her canned goods with family and friends.
Barbara was the owner and operator of Barb’s Café in Gove, KS for many years. During some of these years, she also operated the Café in Grainfield, KS. There were many special times spent with her Granddaughters helping to run these cafes. In Barbara’s later years, she would comment that she wished she could go back to work cooking in a café.
When Barbara did have some free time, she loved to go fishing. Her ability to catch the biggest fish and then fry it up perfectly was amazing. She enjoyed time spent on fishing trips with her Grandson’s and their families.
Barbara had amazing talents and work ethic; however, her most treasured gift was her family. She loved her husband and her children and their accomplishments. She cherished her grandchildren and great-grandchildren without measure. There was never a time you couldn’t find a drawing or painting from one of her grandkids hung on the wall or new school pictures proudly displayed.
She leaves to mourn her passing, her two sons, Ted (Darcy) Howard of Oakley and John (Linda) Howard of WaKeeney; a daughter, Colette (Richard) Weimer of Englewood, FL; daughter-in-law, Melinda Howard of Quinter, KS; fourteen grandchildren, Amy Gibson of Grainfield, Amanda (Jerry) Gallentine of Grainfield, JD Draper of Oakley, Ron (Whitney) Nieman of Colwich, Denny (Traci) Nieman of Gem, Mindy (Parker) Christensen of Rexford, Julie (Warren) Ziegelmeier of Gem, Greg (Ericka) Nieman of Edmond, Oklahoma, Johnny (Jessica) Howard of WaKeeney, Jay Dee Howard of WaKeeney, Dewey (Amy) Howard of WaKeeney, and Cody Howard of WaKeeney, Tracy (Jessica) Buchholz of Ogallah, and Scott Buchholz of Englewood, FL; thirty-four great-grandchildren; a brother, Frank Rohr; sisters, Amelia Schwindt, Elnora Kuehler, Esther Walker, and Martina (Paul) Stanton, many nieces and nephews; and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Fred Howard; son-in-law, Dennis Buchholz; two grandsons, Travis Eugene Howard and Kenneth John Howard; granddaughter, Dr. Kristy Booker; three brothers, Wendelin, Edward, and Walter; and two sisters, Helen Zerr and Florena Heili.
Funeral services will be held at Schmitt Funeral Home in WaKeeney, KS, on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at 10:30 am. Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 am prior to the service. Burial will follow at Christ the King Cemetery, WaKeeney, KS.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Barbara Martina Howard Memorial. Donations may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th Street, WaKeeney, KS, 67672
Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.schmittfuneral.com