Barbara Howard

Barbara Loretta Howard, 72, passed away on April 17th, 2015 at Olathe Medical Center after a long and courageous fight against kidney disease.

Barbara was born in Marysville, Kansas on August 9th, 1942 to Thomas and Loretta Henshaw. She grew up the oldest of 12 children in the Kansas City area and attended St. Agnes Catholic School and Bishop Miege High School. After graduation, she attended Rockhurst College and worked for her father's business until she married. She married Bob Howard on February 20th, 1965 and they had 3 daughters together. She stayed home after their births to raise them.
Barbara is most remembered for her love of her grandchildren, cats, crossword puzzles, playing dominoes, theatre/live shows (she enjoyed travelling to Branson and Las Vegas when she could), and her attention to small details. She was also a very talented seamstress and was known to make her daughter's dresses and Halloween costumes. She carried this talent on and would sew for her grandchildren as well.

Barbara was preceded in death by her father, Tom, and her brother Jimmy.
Barbara is survived by her husband of 50 years, Bob Howard of the home; children Karla Plank, Susan Healy (Rob), and Laura Apprill (Justin); grandchildren Jack (14), Emma (14), Hannah (12), Sophia (11), Amaya (9), Audrey (9), Matt (8), Nick (6), and Hugh (5). Barbara is also survived by her mother, Loretta Henshaw and siblings, Gary, Janet, Beverly, Raymond, Sharon, Mary, Joe, Steve, David, and Carol.

Prayers of the Rosary will be held on Tuesday, April 21st at 5pm at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, Olathe, Kansas with visitation to follow until 7pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, April 22nd, at 10am at Ascension Catholic Church, Overland Park, Kansas. Burial at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, Lenexa, Kansas will follow at 1pm.

Memorials are suggested to the National Kidney Foundation, 30 E. 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016, or to Wayside Waifs, 3901 Martha Truman Road, Kansas City, MO, 64137.