Barbara Jean Steiner, age 95, went to Heaven on Friday December 13, 2024 surrounded by her loved ones. She passed away at Stormont Vail Hospital in Junction City, Kansas. She was born to Thomas and Barbara (Janousek) Foote in Ellsworth, Kansas on May 28, 1929. She grew up in Black Wolf, Kansas, and lived in Great Bend most of her adult life until moving to Brookdale Assisted Living in Junction City two years ago. She married Clayton Steiner in Ellsworth, Kansas on June 1st, 1948. Clayton passed away November 7th, 2001.
Barbara lived a life rooted in faith, love, and service to others. A lifelong Catholic, she was a devoted member of Saint Patrick Catholic Church for many years where her commitment to the church inspired those around her through prayer and volunteer work. She radiated kindness, compassion, and grace to everyone she encountered.
As a mother and grandmother, Barbara was a source of unyielding love and guidance. She raised her children with special care and strength, teaching them the values of faith, family, and perseverance. She was dedicated to the care of her daughter Susan.
Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were the light of her life, and she cherished every moment spent with them. She imparted a love that will carry through generations. Her legacy will remain forever in the hearts of those she leaves behind.
Barbara was a cherished sister, aunt, and friend. Her family and friends knew her as a woman with deep integrity and a gentle spirit. Barbara touched countless lives with her generosity, humility, and unwavering faith.
Barbara began her working career as a speech aide with St. Margarita Tockert for the Institute of Logopedics Field Center in the St. Rose Hospital. She then went on to work as a paraprofessional for over 25 years with high school level special needs students. Prior to her retirement, she was influential in working with the Board of Education USD428 to ensure that paraprofessionals were included in KPERS. She was also a long-time member of the Central Kansas Association of Retired School Personnel.
She was instrumental as one of the area organizers for what has now become Sunflower Diversified Services. She was a member of the Association of Retarded Citizens, organizing a yearly summer program for them. Barbara was a lifelong friend and advocate of many mentally handicapped individuals of Barton County. She never forgot their birthdays and would send cards and gifts; as recently as the week before her passing. She wanted these adults to succeed and become contributing members of society. She actively raised money for the Association and was a door-to-door knocker for fundraisers for United Cerebral Palsy of Kansas.
She loved God! She was a long-time member of St. Patrick Catholic Church. She and Clayton were some of the original members of St. Patrick Church and School when it was founded in 1956. She was a member of the Eucharist Adoration group and was also a Eucharistic distributor. She was a member of the traditional choir, the Altar Society, and the liturgical commission, which she truly enjoyed.
One of Barbara’s proudest accomplishments was being a 67-year member of the Daughters of Isabella. She held the offices of secretary, vice regent, regent (twice), past regent, and chancellor.
She was also a member of Etudian, and a Community Concert area coordinator.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Clayton, son James, daughter Susan, grandson Clayton Cooke, great granddaughter Kylie Steiner, her sisters Sr. Marilyn Foote and Margie Fox.
She is survived by her son Dan of Stilwell, Kansas and his wife Cathy (Schartz). Their children Ryan and wife Kelli (Vasquez), their children Carson, Addison, Jake, and Ava. Their son Clint and wife Christi (Schlagel) and their children Grace, Collin, and Cooper. Their daughter Tara and her husband Adam Terella and their children Ava, Alyssa, Jack, and Jameson.
Also surviving is Barbara’s daughter Laurie and son-in-law Stacey Cooke of Junction City, Kansas. Their children Bethany and husband Adam (Rush) Cooke and son Callen. Their daughter Katie and husband Justin Lytle, their children Lacey, AJ, Tatum and Miles. Daughter Briana and husband Ken Talley and their sons Kenny and Teddy.
Surviving Barbara is her brother Tom and wife Sharon of St. Petersburg, Florida, brother-in- law Keith Fox of St. Joseph, Missouri, and sister Kathy and husband John Triplett of Junction City, Kansas. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
She will truly be missed by her family and all those who knew and loved her. The family would like to express their deep gratitude to the staff of Brookdale Assisted Living as well as Stormont Vail Hospital of Junction City. Your exemplary care and love for our mother will never be forgotten!
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, December 20, 2024, at St. Patrick Catholic Church with Father Prakash Kola and Father Warren Stecklein concelebrating presiding. Interment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Bryant Funeral Home from Noon to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, December 19, with an Altar Society Rosary held at 4:00 p.m., and a Daughters of Isabella Rosary and Vigil at 7:00 p.m. Memorials have been designated to Sunflower Diversified Services (to benefit the Barbara Steiner and Susan Steiner Memorial) or Prince of Peace Parish, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530.