Barbara Ann Barnes was born in Laramie on December 10, 1951, the daughter of Oscar and Virginia Barnes. At an early age she moved with the family to the University of Wyoming extension farm near Sheridan. The family returned to Laramie and settled in at 1314 Kearney.
Barbara attended Beitel, Whiting and Washington grade schools, junior high in what is now the Laramie Plains Civic Center and high school at the recently demolished building. She graduated as a member of the class of 1970, but left school early to accompany her mother and father to Somalia where Oscar was Head of Party of a University of Wyoming agriculture mission.
After returning Barb attended college in Sheridan where she made many lifelong friends. But in 1972 she decided to strike out on a different path and moved to Portland, Oregon. She said, “I had a huge community of friends. We all lived on a shoestring, grew gardens and shared all we had. I worked at my favorite job as a PBX operator, answering 200 lines.”
After a dozen years she moved back to Laramie and worked in the mortgage banking business before changing careers to conference coordinator for U.W. In December 1994 she reconnected with grade school classmate Kim Viner. Not wanting to rush into anything, they were engaged on Valentine’s Day 2000 and married July 2001.
Barb loved to travel, garden and spend time with her many Laramie friends. She volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, Ivinson Hospital cancer center and the Laramie Animal Shelter. She was a member of PEO Chapter AX and held many offices.
She is survived by her husband Kim, brother Walt (Catherine) of Klamath Falls, OR, sister Mary Lin of Fort Collins and brother Tom (Susan) of Custer, SD, as well as several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Barb’s life will take place on Sunday, November 17, at 2 p.m. in the Alice Hardie Stevens Center. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ivinson Hospital Cancer Center, Hospice of Laramie and the Laramie Animal Welfare Society.
Kim and Barnes family, I am saddened by Barbs death. She was a very kind person to everyone she met and has left us with many fond memories of her. She will be deeply missed.
I knew Barb when she was a student at LHS, but our paths continued to cross through the years. I will miss that smile and hug she always gave. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy.
Dear Kim and the Barnes family, Barb was my good friend in grade school and we kept some connection in high school. There are so many memories throughout the years as we have grown older. In my absence from Laramie, when she and Kim found each other it was such good news. She was a corker! As we age and learn of the departure of our friends is a sad time, but sweet memories. Kim...Please take care. You have a tough series of years. My condolences to you and to Barb's family. I had brief interaction with Barb's sister after her marriage to Dennis. I wish you safety and solitude during this difficult time.
Barb and I were best friends in 9tb grade. She was so loving and funny. My deepest condolences Kim and family. Her light will shine on.
Dear Barnes and Viner family, we are so deeply saddened by Bard's death. Our hearts break with yours. You are cared for deeply as is and was Barb.
I am sad beyond words with the loss of the old friend! Many wild and crazy adventures were experienced in our teenage years, I missed truly knowing the mature adult Barb. I am sorry for your loss Kim May God bless both your families!
I am beyond sad to learn of Barb’s death. I liked her the moment I met her. Talk about a good soul. We met at Jeffery’s when I was up visiting the Saum’s decades ago. Barb was keenly intelligent, always positive, kind hearted and deeply authentic and genuine. I’ll always remember her lovely smile and the lilt in her voice. So grateful Barb touched my life. My deepest condolences to her husband and siblings. What a loss. I’ll miss a world without Barb in it.
My condolences to the Barnes and Viner family, may Barb rest in peace! Will miss her!