Barbara Lynn Morton, 70, of Atwood, KS, died Monday, Dec. 25, 2023 at Atwood Good Samaritan Society after a two-year battle with cancer. She was born on Nov. 21, 1953 to Bernard “Buddy” and Patty Bowles in Rawlins County, KS. Sister, Linda, was born in 1955. Barb and Linda had the added benefit of being raised in a multi-generational home with their mother and Cloe grandparents on the family farm in Blakeman, KS. Once the Bowles girls were raised, Barb’s mother moved to Hope, KS, and married Vince Polok in 1974. Barb gained a stepfather and three step-siblings, Emma, Rose and Merlin.
Barb graduated from Atwood Community High School in 1971. She earned a certificate in cosmetology from Northwest Kansas Technical College in Goodland, KS, in 1972. She took a job at Currier Drug in Atwood as a cosmetic specialist and worked there for 25 years. Craig Morton first caught sight of a beautiful, young Barb at the bowling alley in Atwood. The couple dated throughout high school and married on Feb. 24, 1973 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Atwood. The newlywed couple bought Barb’s grandparents’ farm in Blakeman and took over farming and ranching operations in 1976.
Barb loved everything about living on her childhood farm. She tended a big garden on the same ground where her grandma first taught her. She adored the outdoors and the freedom of caring for many chickens, cats and dogs. She was an animal lover for the rest of her life and instilled those values in her children and grandchildren. Social life included hosting Tupperware parties, all-night card games and thriving friendships.
Barb’s greatest blessings were given to her with the births of two daughters, Kelly Lynne on June 15, 1977, and Kristina Leigh on Sept. 15, 1980. Barb was a devoted, doting mother, making sure the girls were happy, healthy, and well-loved. When the girls’ activities and interests began to pull them to town more frequently, the family sold the farm. They moved to town to a beautiful peach home on Cedar Street in Atwood.
In the 1990s, wherever Barb was, there was an 8-pound video camera on her shoulder and she watched their daughters’ activities through the lens of that recorder. Barb was overjoyed by being active in Kelly and Kristina’s lives, be it school programs, birthday parties, social and sporting events, proms and weddings and the births of their own kids. Motherhood was everything Barb had ever desired. She was supportive and tender when times were tough, and easy to laugh and celebrate the good times.
Barb was a very hard worker, sometimes juggling three jobs at a time with a can of Coca-Cola in her hand. When she wasn’t working, her hobbies were gardening and canning produce. Barb was also smart, inquisitive, resourceful and a lifelong learner. She cared about her appearance, keeping beautiful hair and nails, yet she was most comfortable in a pair of jeans and a tee-shirt. She gave haircuts and perms to herself and her girls. She was kind, selfless and friendly. She loved frequenting restaurants with her family and especially liked Mexican and Chinese food. She was eagerly willing to paint and to help her daughters in all ways to make beautiful and comfortable homes.
When the Mortons became grandparents to Kelly’s children, Tayten and Tru Dewey, and Kristina’s children, Braxton and Lanxton Springer, their joy, purpose and calendars overflowed. Barb spent a lot of her time supporting the Buffaloes and she was more than a passive fan. She was a master statistician, writing stats in tiny and perfect cursive. After the game, the Morton and Dewey families would pore over all the details. Barb loved making trips to Manhattan to visit her grandsons. Though miles separated Barb from them, she remained close through frequent and fun video calls and texts. She was an active grandma, taking a hands-on approach in the lives of her grandchildren. Wherever they were — whether it was in Atwood or Manhattan, on the court or field, park or fishing pond — there, too, was Barb.
She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Craig Morton of the home; two daughters, Kelly and husband, Tom Dewey, and children, Tayten and Tru, of Atwood, and Kristina Springer and children, Braxton and Lanxton, of Manhattan; sister, Linda Bowles of Victoria, KS; stepsisters, Emma and husband, Dale Davidson, of Hope, KS; Rose Polok of Tonganoxie, KS; step-brother, Merlin Polok and wife, Lonnie, of Waterloo, Iowa; sisters-in-law, Shelly and husband, Jim Brungardt, of Hays, KS, and Carla and husband, Mike Starns, of Independence, KS; 14 nieces and nephews; and lifelong and trusted friends.
Preceding Barb in death are Barb’s grandparents, Frank and Bertha Cloe; father, Bernard Bowles; mother, Patty and step-father, Vince Polok; father and mother-in-law, Ed and Marge Morton; and niece, Tonya Migchelbrink.
Cremation was chosen and a family burial at Blakeman Cemetery will take place at a later date. The Barb Morton Memorial Fund has been established and will be designated at a later date. Baalmann Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
The family would like to thank Rawlins County Health Center, Hays Medical Center, Citizen’s Medical Center, Atwood Good Samaritan Society, Home Health, Hospice Services of NWKS and Baalmann Mortuary. Having adequate medical care so close to home meant that Barb could continue living on her terms, surrounded by people she loved most, until the end of her battle. The outpouring of love and support from this community — the place she called home — has been a blessing and will continue to be a comfort, as we grieve.