Barbara Louise Ann Merry was born Sept. 17, 1941, at St. Rose Hospital in Great Bend. She was the eldest daughter of Paul and Hermine (Hoffman) Strecker. She was baptized at St. John Lutheran Church in Russell and confirmed her faith at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Galatia in 1956. She started first grade at a small country school in Wheatland Township, Barton County, knowing only German which she quickly found was not approved by the teacher. She then attended elementary school at District #66 in Galatia.
In 1958, she attended Parks Business School in Denver, Colo. where she met and married Frank Garcia. They had a child, Lynette Ann, in 1961 and divorced in 1964. She then moved back to Kansas. In 1970, she moved to Dubois, Wyo. and lived there for the next 35 years. She met Roscoe Merry and they were married on March 30, 1977 in Riverton, Wyo. They built a home west of Dubois overlooking the Dunoir Valley. While in Wyoming she had a variety of jobs, including log scaler, timber assistant for the US Forest Service, bank teller, bookkeeper, relief mail carrier, assistant town clerk and director of Senior Center and the Dubois Chamber of Commerce.
Barbara was a life member of the VFW Auxiliary, a member of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Dubois for over 30 years, and a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Galatia since moving back to Kansas in 2005 with Roscoe and Lynette. They purchased a farm west of Galatia where she lived until Mary 31, 2023. Barbara died on August 17, 2023, at the Good Samaritan Society in Hays, after a cancer diagnosis in June.
Barb and Roscoe loved their lives in Dubois, embracing the activities of the west including horses, hunting, and the Rocky Mountains. She loved the Lord and was ready to leave this life and continue in the life promised by her Christian faith. Thanks be to God!
She was predeceased by her daughter, Lynnette, in September 2007 and husband Roscoe on Aug. 31, 2012, also a stepson, Ron Merry and her parents.
Survivors include; her sisters, Melba Haines of Skiatook, Oklahoma, Karen Maier and husband Alan of Otis, Kansas; stepson, Dan Merry of Monmouth, Illinois; nephews, John Dietz and wife Lisa of Skiatook, Oklahoma, James Dietz and wife Natasha of Garnder, Kansas, Brian Maier and wife Janelle of Otis, Kansas, Tim Maier and wife Stephanie of Hoisington, Kansas, and Eric Maier and wife Karen of Bison, Kansas; and her feline friend, Fancy.
Funeral service will be 3 p.m., Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, at St. Paul Lutheran Church with Rev. Wayne Baldyga presiding. Family will greet friends at the church prior to service starting at 1 p.m. Burial will follow service in Fairview Cemetery, Galatia.
Memorials may be made to Good Samaritan Society, HaysMed Hospice, or Donor’s Choice, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.
Notices may viewed and condolences sent at www.nicholsonrickefh.net