Irene Mavis Vap

Irene Mavis Barnhart was born in a sod house in rural Hale, Colorado, on October 26, 1929; the first of seven children to Everett and Vivian (Agan) Barnhart. When Irene was about five years old, the family moved to Achilles, Kansas, close to both her mother and father’s families.

Irene’s elementary school years were spent at the Achilles school, and she roomed in the Dr. Henneberger residence while attending high school in Atwood. She was paired with Melvin E. Vap for a sweetheart dance, and it became a perfect match. She was united in marriage to Melvin in 1948 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Atwood. She was the loving and proud mother of eight children, and grandmother to 20 grandchildren and 46 great-grandchildren.

Mel and Irene made their home in Atwood where they raised their family. While the children were home, Irene spent much of her time sewing, cooking, and supporting their activities and Mel’s growing farm implement business. Irene and Melvin continued to develop shared interests when she earned her private pilot license so they could fly together. Melvin passed suddenly in 1983, leaving an emptiness she carried to the end.

Irene married Walt Guth in 1984. They enjoyed traveling and sharing their extended families.

Irene peacefully passed away on January 30, 2026, in Atwood. Her last days were spent surrounded by her children.

Irene is remembered for her love of her family and being open and welcoming to all. Those who were welcomed into her home were often greeted with the scent of fresh baked rolls known as “grandma’s buns” and fresh blackberry jelly from the bushes in her yard. She was passionate about her volunteer work in the church, community, and historical society. She was instrumental in relocating the historical Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church into Atwood.

Irene continued to sew as a hobby throughout her lifetime, and shared both the love of sewing and personalized gifts with family and friends. She captivated her family with many stories of her youth, including growing up in a sod home during the Dust Bowl and playing with Aunt Marveline, five years her senior, who is still living. She will also be remembered for her singing around the home.

Irene is survived by her children and their families: Richard (Marilyn) Vap, Greg (Carmen) Vap, Vicki (Joe) Schmidt, Jeff (Jan) Vap, Veanna (Mike) Lang, Penny (Phillip) Miller, and Kevin (Teresa) Vap; 20 grandchildren and 46 great-grandchildren. She will be missed by many more friends, family, cousins and the caring staff of Wheat Haven Home.

She was preceded in death by her parents, infant daughter Rebecca Lyn Vap and her husband Melvin E. Vap.

Her siblings and in-laws, living and deceased, include Merlin (Shirley) Barnhart, Neal (Sharon) Barnhart, Dile (Virginia) Barnhart, Nema (Leroy) Schneider, Margaret (David) Tolliver, Rell Barnhart, Leonard (Evelyn) Vap, Sister Joseph Ann “Winifred” Vap CSJ, Ramona (Vap) (Bill) Hanson, Geraldine (Vap) Lane, Yvonne (Vap) (Anthony) Ripperger, Virginia (Vap) (Don) Hamilton, Leo (Joelyn) Vap, Eugene (Gretchen) Vap, Ellen Vap, Lyn DeVader, Suzanne and GC Hodge.

Visitation begins at 9:30 a.m., with a Rosary at 10:30 a.m. and the Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 6, 2026, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Atwood. Burial will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Atwood. Memorials may be made to the Rawlins County Historical Society for the historical SS Cyril and Methodius Church and mailed to Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com