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BARBARA T. VOELM

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Michigan State University

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Signature Funerals - Kansas City

406D E. Bannister Road

Kansas City, Missouri

BARBARA VOELM Obituary

Barbara T. Voelm, 75, Mission, Kan., died October 21, 2012, after a hard fought recovery from a heart attack on Oct. 1. Memorial service to celebrate her life will be held 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 26, at Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village. Barbara was born on March 29, 1937, to Fred and Dorothy Tiegs in Milwaukee, Wis. She graduated from Michigan State University with a BA in Education in 1958. It was there that she met her husband, David, of 42 years, who died in 2002 following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. They moved to the Kansas City area in 1963. She received a MA in reading education in 1976 and a MS in gifted education in 1980. Her 35 years of teaching included elementary classroom teacher (4th and 6th grade), followed by reading specialist and teacher of gifted education in the Shawnee Mission school district from 1975-2003. Barbara lived a life characterized by giving, loving, and seeing the best in others. She has been a long time member of Village Presbyterian Church where she was an ordained Deacon, an active Stephen Minister, and active in the Presbyterian Women and Village Forum Sunday school class. Barbara had a passion for traveling, and she spent her last two weeks traveling to London with a group from Village Church. Her favorite place to travel, however, was to the Lake of the Ozarks, where she loved spending time with family and friends. She loved her grandkids with all her heart. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Dorothy Tiegs, and her husband, David Voelm. She is survived by her daughter, Lianne Voelm and her children, Tyler and Lars Ohlson of Berkeley, Calif.; daughter, Laura Nelson and her husband David and their children Cody, Caleb, Zach and Kelli of Overland Park, Kan.; sister, Carolyn French of Edina, Minn., and her nieces, Julie McEntee and Lori French. She leaves behind an exceptional group of devoted friends, whom she loved very much, including her dear friend, Fred Meier. Her joie de vivre and adventuresome spirit will be profoundly missed. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kansas City Hospice, 9221 Ward Parkway, Suite 100, Kansas City, MO 64114 or online at www.kansascityhospice.org. Arr.: Signature Funerals, 8019 State Line Rd., KCMO (816) 214-5174. www.signaturefunerals.com Signature Funerals; honoring life; honoring death. 8019 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO 64114 (816) 214-5174

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Published by Kansas City Star from Oct. 23 to Oct. 24, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for BARBARA VOELM

14 Entries

November 12, 2012

Laura,
I just saw you note regarding my dad.....oh it is awful and to find out you are going through the same thing - I am so sorry! Lori (Heeter) Thomas

Marcia Rinehart

November 1, 2012

Dear Laura and Lianne,
I send my deepest sympathy to you upon the loss of your mother. Our lives intersected through the years beginning at Prairie and Homestead, but more recently at Brookwood Elementary School where Barbara was a reading teacher. She was bright, gracious, and always friendly. May your happy memories of your mom sustain you through these difficult days.
Marcia Rinehart

Kristi Gier Koppenhaver

October 26, 2012

There simply aren't enough words to say what you mean to me. I'm already missing your verbose voicemails, sage and spiritual words of encouragement, photos of you and your beautiful grandchildren on your Christmas card, and your fantastic handwritten prayers and poems that always stay on my fridge until then yellow. What a void you've left that can never be filled. So much love and thanks for being Barbara Beyond Amazing!

Alice Gutierrez

October 25, 2012

My husband, Richard, and I were on the England trip wih Barbara and enjoyed getting to know her. The 3 of us went to see "Les Miserables", a real highlight of the trip. we were so sorry about her passing, but so glad she had a great time with her friends.

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October 25, 2012

My dear sister, Barbara, your life was much too short! You had alot more living to do, more ideas to share and more love to give. I thank you for all the love and caring you had for me over the years. You would have done anything for me, as you did for so many others. You had great strength, a wonderful sense of humor, always positive, always generous and always going out of your way for others... giving a helping hand whenever possible. If I needed an idea you were always quick to fill in the blank or look for other solutions if necessary.

The Lord Jesus Christ has blessed our family in many wonderful ways. I thank the Lord for blessing me with the greatest sister ever! You were the BEST and I miss you so!!!!!

Your loving sister,
Carolyn French Edina, Minnesota

Carole Plesser

October 25, 2012

What a focused woman Barbara was. She had "all" her priorities right:

Her love for her family. Her dedication to her students. Her steadfast friensdship. Her devotion to her religion and her joy for living.

Barbara certainly made an impact on all who knew her and loved her.

Nan Borden

October 24, 2012

Love and care to Barbara's family. She was a good friend and "sister of the heart" with our Monday group. We will all miss her smiling face and cheerful attitude.

Julie, Alan, Jacob & Nate

October 24, 2012

We miss you so much, Auntie B! There are so many happy memories that we hold close....the Christmas road trips you made to Minnesota when it was -20 with blowing snow, the fun times swimming at the Lake, walking to the turnaround with you four times in one day and hiding in your potato chip closet to surprise our arrival and then going trick or treating in your neighborhood because our flight back to Minnesota was overbooked. You were so kind with such with a sweet, caring, generous spirit that will be deeply missed by so many friends and family. We will hold on to all the happy times but the missing will never go away. We love you!

Michelle Hudon

October 24, 2012

This was an amazing woman. She taught me to love reading. My sympathy to the family.

Cindy Huber-Koppen

October 24, 2012

Laura & Lianne, you both are in my thoughts and prayers. Deepest sympathies to you and your family's. God Bless....

Cath Lab Staff Menorah Medical Center

October 24, 2012

For the family of Barbara T. Voelm, you are all in our hearts and prayers. We extend our deepest sympathies.

October 24, 2012

I feel blesssed to have known Barbara. She was inspirational just by being brave and spirited in everything she did! My memories of Barbara and the special bond we shared are things I will always carry with me.
Lisa Ball

Barbara Anselmi

October 23, 2012

We'll miss you, Barbara....your thoughtfulness, sweet smile and your happy disposition. I'm so grateful I got to know you in Stephen Ministry.

Sandy Linson

October 23, 2012

Barbara had a beautiful soul. She embraced life and honored God by being an example of life lived with faith, human kindness and generosity of spirit. John and I will miss her earthly presence.

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