Barbara Louise Kurtzer passed away Sunday, March 15, 2020 at North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley at the age of 87.

Barbara was born Dec. 31, 1932 in Denver; the third child in a large family that included three brothers and two sisters including Charlene, Bob, Bill, Norma Jean and Art. While still in high school, Barbara worked as a soda fountain "Jerk" and a young WWII veteran named Gene began to frequent the shop. Before long, on Dec. 30, 1950, he and Barbara began a 46-year marriage. After she finished school in the following months, they left Denver for the High Plains of Colorado. They made their home on a farm southeast of the little town of Haxtun and began their own large family of seven children including Linda, Rod, Randy, Ronnie, Steve, Caralee and Larry.

The city girl adapted to country life of raising free-range children, cattle, chickens, pigs, dogs, cats, etc., to the extent of never wanting to return to city dwelling. She spent the next 67 years on the farmstead, only moving from it when forced to do so, due to health issues.

Through the years Barbara thoroughly enjoyed becoming grandmother to 18 grandchildren and welcomed them all to her farm home as often as possible.

She also enjoyed the activities of reading, bird watching, listening to Christian radio, many types of sewing crafts, chalk illustration, sketching, teaching children's Sunday School as well as attending church and Bible studies.

Barbara is survived by her sister Norma Jean; daughters Linda and Caralee and husband Mark; sons Rod and wife Tina, Randy and wife Susan, and Larry and wife Holly; 18 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband Gene and sons Steve and Ronnie.

A private family service will be held at a later date. Barbara will be laid to rest at Haxtun Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Sterling Berean for their special needs fund or any of their children's ministries or to any Caring Pregnancy Center in care of Chaney-Reager Funeral Home, PO Box 1046, Sterling, CO 80751.