Barbara Lenora Koelling, 87, of Paradise, Kansas, died on Friday, December 2, 2022, at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell.
Barbara was born on August 27, 1935, in rural Osborne, Kansas, the daughter of George and Gladys (Cadorett) Conway. She grew up in the Osborne County area and graduated from Osborne High School. She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Lawrence H. Koelling on May 5, 1957, in Osborne, Kansas. From this union, Barbara and Lawrence were blessed with 3 sons Keith, Kirk and Kyle. She worked hard as a homemaker and a farm wife working closely with Lawrence, helping work the family farm. She was a member of the Natoma City Cemetery board and the Jayhawk CB club. She enjoyed cooking and sewing and loved her chickens. She was also well known as a wonderful cook and was famous for cooking the best fried chicken and cinnamon rolls. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and step grandchildren.
Surviving family include her sons Keith Koelling and wife Jill of Paradise, Kansas; Kirk Koelling and wife Judy of Russell, Kansas and Kyle Koelling and wife Becky of Natoma, Kansas; 3 brothers Raymond Conway and wife Carol of Beloit, Kansas, Bill Conway and wife Coleen of Osborne, Kansas and Pat Conway and wife Lillian of Alton, Kansas; sister Carol Knott of Salina, Kansas; 2 grandchildren Ethan and Hanna and numerous step grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Lawrence on February 21, 2009; sister Georgia James and brother John Conway.
A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, December 8, 2022, at the Paradise United Methodist Church in Paradise, Kansas. Burial will follow at the Natoma City Cemetery in Natoma, Kansas. Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at the mortuary with family greeting guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Wednesday evening.
Memorials may be given to the Natoma Library and sent in care of the mortuary Russell location. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell and Natoma are in charge of the funeral service arrangements.