Vivian M. Barnett

Vivian M. Barnett, age 82, of Colony, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday, December 18, 2013, in Colony, Kansas. She was born on July 11, 1931, the seventh of eight children born to James Earnest and Leva Lee (Ball) Fletcher. As a child, she lived in Iola, then Ottawa, where she attended grade school and high school. Following school Vivian worked at Cuzak's in Ottawa, where she met her future husband. Vivian was united in marriage to Robert L. Barnett, Sr., on May 13, 1949, in Osceola, Missouri. This union was blessed with four children, Linda Ann, Debra Kay, Robert Jr., and Laurie Lee. After their marriage, they lived in Colony. Vivian loved being a farmer's wife. She also worked at Kelly's Caf in Colony before going to work as a teacher's aide in 1971. She worked at USD 479 as an aide and then as secretary for Crest High School and Crest Elementary Schools until retiring in 1993. In her younger years, Vivian loved to roller skate and play softball. Summertime meant she could also enjoy sunbathing, (she even used baby oil as tanning lotion). She coached t-ball in Colony including her grandson's team. She also enjoyed her flowers, working in the yard and sweeping her porch. Vivian was a member of the Colony Methodist Church for a number of years, joining the church in 1958. She was a Sunday school teacher and Superintendent of Sunday school, and she held many offices in the church. Vivian was currently the United Methodist Women President, which she has held for a number of years. Vivian enjoyed the after church coffee with friends at Colony Foods. She was also a charter member of the Jolly Dozen Club. Over the last 30 years Vivian and Bob have enjoyed many card parties and travelling to Branson with the group known as the Dirty Half Dozen. Bob was a charter member of the Colony Lions Club in 1954 and all the while Vivian has served food for their meetings until earlier this year. Vivian organized many funeral dinners, and she always sent a card to anyone with a need or suffered a loss. Her devotion to her family can be seen through one of her final acts, on the day of her passing she had just decorated graves of her family in Ottawa. Vivian's greatest joy and love was her family. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert L. Barnett, Sr., on May 23, 2010; four brothers, Ray, Dale, Don and Gene; three sisters, infant Joyce, Dorothy Snell, and Freda Hughes. Vivian is survived by four children; Linda Ellis and husband Guy of Ottawa, Kansas, Debbie Troxel of Iola, Kansas, Bob Barnett, Jr. and wife Debbie of Coweta, Oklahoma, Laurie Poteet and husband Kevin of Liberty, Missouri; eleven grandchildren; and ten great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, December 23, 2013, at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Colony, Kansas. Burial will follow in the Colony Cemetery. Family will greet friends on Sunday afternoon from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home in Colony. Memorial contributions may be made to the Colony Lions Club or Colony First Responders and left in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com