Barbara Ballmann Katz

Barbara Ballmann Katz, 82, of Kansas City, passed away surrounded by family, June 24, 2023, after a courageous fight against Leukemia.
Barbara was born November 23, 1940 in Cincinnati, Ohio to her late parents, Ralph and Elizabeth "Betty" Ballmann. Barbara graduated from Hurley Hospital School of Nursing in Flint, Michigan with a Nursing Degree in 1961. She worked as a nurse in Denver CO where she met Stephen P Katz, they moved to Kansas City and married in November 1968. She volunteered at Brandeis University Women, Menorah Auxiliary, and KU Medical Center before working there full time until her retirement. She raised her daughters in Kansas City and supported their various endeavors throughout their school years and beyond.
She often said her proudest accomplishment was her family and especially her 6 grandchildren. She was adored by many, had several lifelong friends and extended family, who she always made feel welcome and important. She valued honesty, acceptance and put family relationships above all else. She was loyal, kind, and had the most loving and accepting nature. She was selfless and giving, and approached any obstacle with a positive "can-do" outlook. She was a constant presence in her grandchildren's lives and loved to spend her time with them. She spent her life nurturing those she loved and was always there for those who needed her.
Barbara spent her time with family and close friends. She was an avid reader, loved playing games and enjoyed several hobbies including calligraphy, sewing and doing puzzles. She will be remembered as a tireless caretaker of those she loved, possessing a fun sense of humor, and had independent spirit.
She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law Jennifer and Mike Krause of Leawood, KS; Laura Katz and Pat Stang of Kansas City, MO; her grandchildren: Katie, Charlie, Eleanor, Sophie, Vivien and Emily; her older brother Neil (Claudia) Ballmann, sister-in-law, Vicki Ballmann; her Katz family: Stephen P Katz (Sharon); Ward (Donna) Katz; Diane Shoemaker Katz; and numerous family members who loved their "Auntie Barb". She was preceded in death by her younger brother, Tom Ballmann; Sisters-in-law Susie Ballmann and Leslie Katz Cohen; Niece Emily Cohen and brother-in-law Earl "Buzz" Katz Jr.
Memorial services will be held at 10:00am Thursday, July 20th at Louis Memorial Chapel, 6830 Troost Ave. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to The National MS Society: https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Donate or The Alzheimer's
Association: https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2?df_id=32112&32112.donation=form1