Barbara Van Allen passed away Sunday, September 5, 2021, in Aurora, Colorado.

Barbara was born April 1, 1943, in St. Francis, Kansas, to Kenneth and Viola (Kehlbeck) Peck.  She was the oldest of four children.  She lived with her family near Atwood, Kansas, where her father worked in the Post Office until 1951.

Her family then moved to Goodland, Kansas.  Barbara attended Goodland Public Schools and graduated in 1961.  She attended Fort Hays State University.

Barbara married Robert Van Allen of Sharon Springs on August 18, 1963, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Goodland.  They began their married life in Sharon Springs where they added three sons:  Darren, Craig, and Brian.   It was a busy time caring for three young children.

In 1973, Robert and Barbara moved their family north to Cheyenne County.  They built a house for their family in the little town of Wheeler.

As if caring for sons and establishing a home wasn't enough, Barbara worked at many places and enjoyed getting to know people.  These places include: helping do books at Van Allen Inc., helping out at Goodale's Greenhouse, and later owning Video Connection where she rented movies, sold balloons, and continued to paint and sell ceramics.

Barbara had many hobbies through the years.  She was a charter member of the Happy Homemakers Club EHU in Cheyenne County in 1974.   She was inspired to help with the 4H for a time.  Other hobbies included cooking, taking care of her cats, painting ceramics, reading mysteries, scrapbooking, and collecting little crystal pieces.  She taught Sunday School at the Peace Lutheran Church and attended women's circle.  In later years, she enjoyed going to morning coffee time with other ladies from the community.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Robert; her son, Brian; her parents, Kenneth and Vi Peck of Goodland; and parents-in-law, Cecil and Phyllis Van Allen of Sharon Springs.

Surviving family members are her sons; Darren (Candice) and Craig (Sharon), all of Sharon Springs.  Grandsons are Trey and Josh Van Allen of Sharon Springs.  Siblings are Doug (Cheryl) Peck of Goodland; Kenny Peck (Winter Springs, FL); and Becky Baney of Ogallala, Nebraska.  Robert's siblings:  Cecil Leroy Van Allen of Arizona; Patsy (Charles) Studt of Hutchinson; Larry (Pat) Van Allen and Richard (Cathy) Van Allen, all of Sharon Springs; and Janet Weigel of Hoisington.    She also had cousins, nieces, and nephews; along with numerous friends that were dear to her.

The funeral was held Saturday, September 11, at 10:30 a.m. CT at the Peace Lutheran Church in St. Francis.  Burial followed in the St. Francis Cemetery next to her husband and son.