Barbara Kathryn Everson

Barbara Kathryn Everson, 84, died on January 27, 2024 at her home. She was surrounded by family. Barbara was born on July 18, 1939 in Brooklyn, New York to the late Ludwig and Barbara (Gernert) Ballweg. She was a 1957 graduate of Jamaica High School in Queens where she was a member of the honor society Arista. That summer her family moved to Ithaca, New York to open a bakery in downtown Ithaca. Barbara enrolled in Cornell University's College of Agriculture to major in biochemistry. It was there in freshman English where she met her future husband, Robert Everson of Staten Island, New York, who was also a biochemistry major. They would have 4 years of classes together. Except for a few summers and portions of his 2 year tour of duty aboard the carrier USS Forrestal, they would be inseparable for the next 62+ years. On June 12, 1961, following Bob's commissioning as an Ensign in the Naval Reserve, they graduated at 11am then were married at 3pm in the Lutheran Church of Ithaca (now St. Luke) by the Rev. John Vannorsdall- who would later become a rotating preacher on radio's The Protestant Hour. After a dinner reception, the couple took a midnight bus to Norfolk to begin their life together. Their campus romance was highlighted in a story about Beebe Lake in the Sep/Oct, 2018 issue of the Cornell Alumni Magazine.
Barbara began to work as a laboratory technician at DePaul hospital in Norfolk while Bob served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CVA-59). In February, 1963, their first daughter, Barbara Lynne, was born on Staten Island- while Bob was overseas. That summer, with Bob's active-duty tour completed, the couple moved to Lafayette as he was accepted at Purdue's Biochemistry Department to begin studies towards his advance degrees in biochemistry. In 1966, son, Stephen Robert, was born and a daughter, Robyn Elizabeth, followed in 1969. Barbara was very active during this period serving as church council secretary at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, being a den mother for the Glen Acres' Cub Scout pack, serving on Lafayette School's textbook advisory committees, and occasionally a lunch room monitor. She also decorated birthday and wedding cakes for family and friends.
In 1984, she enrolled at Lafayette Ivy Tech Community College's Medical Laboratory Technician program to update her skills. After graduating in 1986, she worked 5 years in Purdue's Food Science Department as a laboratory technician and 15 years in the Chemistry Department as a prep chemist. She retired in 2006. She was a member of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. In her retirement, she kept busy quilting at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, serving as a parent greeter at Jefferson High School, and teaching her granddaughters the art of cake decorating. On Fridays, when she would sit the desk at Jeff High School, she always had a small dish of candies, which the students would grab a few for a quick pick-me-up. She was well known for her assortment of Christmas cookies. It was often said of Barbara that her smile would light up the room.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her younger brother Ralph Henry Ballweg. Besides her husband, she is survived by her daughters Barbara Tracer of Lafayette, and Robyn Mays of Marble, NC, and son Stephen (Francine) of Lewisburg, PA. Also 6 grandchildren- Thomas (Elizabeth) Chew of Carmel, IN, Meghan (Forrest) Beals of Lafayette, Nicholas Chew of Lafayette, Stephenie Everson of Lewisburg, PA, Julia Mays-Hardin (Gavin) of Urbana, IL, and Lindsay Mays of Marble NC.
The family would like to thank the nurses, staff, and therapists at Franciscan East, Franciscan LAMP class, and Franciscan Home Health/Hospice for all their love and care. Also, the staffs at University Place and Comfort Keepers for all they have done for Barbara.
A memorial service at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church will be held at a later date with inurnment at Rest Haven Memorial Park in Lafayette. Memorial donations may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation or the American Heart Association. Share memories and condolences online at www.hippensteelfuneralservice.com