UPDATE – Barbara Jane Heasley Kuhns…September 8, 1931 – April 7, 2018

 

 

Barbara Jane Heasley Kuhns, of Las Animas, Colorado, entered into rest on April 7, 2018 at the Bent County Nursing Home in Las Animas, Colorado surrounded by her loving family. She was born to Nelson and Emma Hess Heasley, September 8, 1931. She was 86 years of age. Barbara was the oldest of four children. After graduating from Rocky Grove High School in 1949, she pursued an education at Clarion State Teachers’ College. She taught elementary grades in Pleasantville, Oil City, Titusville, and Grove City, Pennsylvania.

She married Theodore W. Kuhns on May 30, 1953 and they had four children. While in Pennsylvania, they owned and operated the funeral homes in Titusville and Clintonville before opting to move to Colorado. They celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary in 2016.

Barbara taught 16 years in Pennsylvania, before moving to Colorado, where she taught 18 more years at McClave Schools. She retired in 1992 and helped her husband in his funeral business at Powell-Kuhns Mortuary, while substituting in Las Animas and McClave Schools. After retiring, the couple purchased a mountain home in Westcliffe, Colorado where they spent their summers enjoying family, whenever they could come and visit.

Barbara was a member of the First Baptist Church, Las Animas Woman’s Civic Club, and VFW Auxiliary Post 2411/ District 6. She enjoyed lying in the sun and playing Sudoku. She especially loved spending time with her family.

Preceding her in death were her husband Ted, in December 2016, and two sisters Mary Kay Irwin and Joanne Olson. She is survived by her children: Dr. Pamela (Nate) Valdez of Las Animas, Colorado, David (Carol) Kuhns of Billings Montana, Dr. Douglas and (Dr. Elin Ora) Kuhns of Lamar, Colorado, and Donald (Shelly) Kuhns of Pueblo West, Colorado. She had 8 grandchildren, Nate, William, Amy, Casey, Amanda, Zach, Nic and Anna and a brother, Donald (Lois) Heasley of Sarasota, Florida. Barbara made a big impact in the lives of so many. She was a pillar in her community, and she will be greatly missed by all those who knew her.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Barbara at the Baptist Church in Las Animas on Thursday,  May 3rd 2018 at 10 am.

Filed Under: Obituary

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