Barbara Diane Punzo

Barbara Diane (Laderoute) Punzo

Barbara “Barb” (Laderoute) Punzo, 85, made her journey to heaven in Casa Grande, AZ with family by her side on December 27, 2024.

Barb was born to Christina (Seibel) and Fay Laderoute of St. Joseph, MO on June 6, 1939. She has one brother James “Jim” Laderoute. She was raised on a dairy farm in St. Joseph, MO.

She married John A. Punzo of St. Joseph, MO on June 20, 1959. They have four daughters – Diane Penner, Denise Fundis, Connie Fenton, and Susan Anderson, ten grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. Together they shared a life of sports, laughter, travel, adventures, and an unbreakable bond of love for over 65 years.

Barb was a school bus driver for over 30 years with the Shawnee Heights School District #450 in Tecumseh, KS. She taught CCD religion classes at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Topeka, KS.

Barb loved to cook and always welcomed many kids into her home. There were many card parties at The Punzo home. She was known for her sewing of Christmas stockings and for keeping the “Seibel sisters” 60-year-old family tradition alive by making Santa cookies every Christmas. She enjoyed her last day on earth teaching the future generation of her grandkids and great grandkids how to make Santa cookies. She loved all her family and friends. Her energy was contagious, always radiating happiness and positivity and peace. She never met a stranger and always had a smile on her face. She was a kind, caring, loving and fun woman to be around. 

A big part of Barb’s life was her faith in God. She was a member of the Catholic Daughter’s Regent in Casa Grande, AZ. She was a charter member of the Prayer Shawl Ministry, and she volunteered weekly at St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store. 

Barb is survived by her husband, John Punzo of Eloy, AZ; brother Jim Laderoute (Norma) of St. Joseph, MO; daughters, Diane Penner (Doug) of Eloy, AZ; Denise Fundis (Doug) of Berryton, KS; Connie Fenton (Dennis Smith) of Eloy, AZ; and Susan Anderson (Chauncey) of Warrensburg, MO; Grandchildren Christy Penner Way (David) of Boise, ID; Kevin Penner (Brenna) of North Bend, WA; Jason Fundis (Jess) of Berryton, KS; Marcie Fundis Brammell (Max) of Harveyville, KS; Lindsey Fenton Radcliff (Andy) of Basehor, KS; Kesley Fenton Gebauer (Tyler) of Olathe, KS; Emily Smith Eichele (Reed) of Idaho Falls, ID; Shawn Smith of Kansas City, KS; and Teagan and Landy Anderson of Warrensburg, MO; Great Grandchildren Ruby and Leo Way; Jantzen Penner; Eldon and Dean Fundis; Wade and Jordyn Brammell; and Norah, Caleb and Warner Radcliff. Barb was proceeded in death by her parents, Fay and Christina Laderoute of St. Joseph, MO.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Vincent DePaul of Casa Grande – 405 E. 2nd Street, Casa Grande, AZ 85122 (www.svdpcasagrande.org).

A rosary will be held on Friday, January 10, 2025, at 2:30 pm with visitation following from 3:00 – 5:00 pm at Alden-Harrington Funeral Home in Bonner Springs, KS. Barb will be laid to rest at Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in Kansas City, KS with a private family service at 10:00 am on Saturday, January 11, 2025.