Reta Gayle Barlow (Heisel) was born November 2nd, 1947, in Oberlin, Kansas, and blessed the gates of Heaven on May 28th, 2024. She was the fifth of eight children born to Ralph Howard and Veda Iola Heisel (Black). She attended Oberlin Elementary and Decatur County High School. She received her GED in Norton, KS in 2010. On August 28th, 1965, Reta was united in marriage to Michael James Barlow, ““OLD MAN”. Together they raised five wonderful children, were enthusiastic fans of their children’s many activities, and always welcomed friends into their home with open arms. They lived in several states before settling in Lenora, Kansas in July of 1978.
Reta worked at the Fifth Wheel Restaurant in Oberlin, Kansas, until moving to Lenora where she worked at United Casing Crew, Karen’s Café, Senior Center, the school cafeteria, and for the City of Lenora. Her hobbies included arts and crafts such as keychains, jewelry, Jacob’s Ladder blocks, magic loops, painted pumpkins, and gourds pictures, and she loved creating costumes for events. She loved fishing on the pontoon with family and friends, finding treasures such as rocks, shells, and petrified wood. Reta gained a deep love of music while listening to her family members play and sing and always had a radio nearby. She carried on a long tradition of making beautiful quilts for the grandchildren. Reta had an uncanny ability to entertain even the most precocious of children for hours on end.
Reta was preceded in death by her parents, brother Loyal Ralph Heisel, and grandchildren Brett Michael Barlow, Chelsea Marie Barlow, and Cody James Barlow. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Mike Barlow, children Troy (and Lori) Barlow of Newton, Kansas, Teresa (and Kelly) Jones of Baker, Florida, Trendy (and Rex) Striggow of Norton, Kansas, Tracy (and Angie) Barlow of Bloomfield, Indiana and Trevor (and Lisa) Barlow of Lenora, Kansas. Also left to cherish her memory are 16 grandchildren and 22 greatgrandchildren, siblings Verle Heisel of Log Lane, Colorado, Karen Carpenter of Norton, Kansas, Vivan (and Vicky) Heisel of Brush, Colorado, David Heisel of Oberlin, Kansas, Lorena (and Larry) Taylor of Lenora, Kansas, Connie (and Denis) Shea of Post Falls, Idaho and many, many dear relatives and friends.