Obituary of Madge Barber

Madge Evelyn Peterson was born to Fred and Mamie Moore Peterson on Friday, June 13, 1913 in the family home in Yuma County, Colorado. She was the third daughter born to the family, joining older sisters, Delphia and Eva, and then welcoming another sister, Mamie, and two younger brothers, Max and Harry as the years went by. Madge grew up on the family farm and often spoke of building play houses out of the apple crates with Eva, all six siblings riding old Tony, walking on stilts and barrels and playing with the dogs, Trim and True. She reminisced about playing in the snow with an old buggy --- all the kids pushing it to the top of the hill so everyone could jump on and go flying through the snow when it hit the bottom. Madge’s first four years in school were spent in a one room country school. When she was 10, the family moved to the Tom Aston Ranch and she spent the next four years attending Laird Public Schools. After eighth grade graduation, the family moved back to the ranch south of Laird where she lived until she married. As a young girl, Madge enjoyed dancing with family and friends at the Olive Lake Resort and a two room vacant house that was nicknamed Hallwood. It was at Hallwood she met her future husband, Wayne Barber. Wayne and Madge were married at the courthouse in St. Francis, Kansas on April 30, 1932. They made their home on a small ranch southwest of Beecher Island in Yuma County, Colorado. To this union two children were born, their daughter Bonnie Dell, on March 10, 1935 and their son, Charles Dwayne on December 1, 1937. In 1942, Madge and Wayne moved to the farm south of Burlington that became their home for the next thirty years to raise wheat, cattle, and kids. Madge loved the big old house there and spent many hours in the yard growing flowers, strawberries, and a huge garden. She and Wayne had many competitions over the years to see who could grow the biggest, sweetest watermelons or to see who could bowl the best game with friends at the bowling alley. She loved to quilt, sew and play her organ, eventually she used her wonderful talents to clothe her many grandchildren and great grandchildren and to keep them warm and entertained through the years. Madge was a wonderful cook, family and friends enjoyed her fried chicken, homemade lemonade, cinnamon rolls, and strawberry jelly. She often spoke of the many wonderful years she spent on the farm working with Wayne and raising her children and then her grandchildren. When Wayne became ill, they moved to a new home in Burlington in 1973. She cared for Wayne there until his death in 1978. With the love and help of friends and family, she remained in her own home for many more years continuing to sew, play her organ, watch her soaps and even help raise her great grandsons. She became “Grandmaâ€? to many young people, she loved them all. During that time, she enjoyed a wonderful vacation in Hawaii with her life long friend, Velma Walstrom. She also traveled to the northeast and marveled at the wonderful sights and fall colors found there. Struggling with failing eyesight and poor health, she made the decision to move to the Legacy in 2001. There, she had the opportunity to cultivate new friends and to sit back and be taken care of for a change. She enjoyed playing bingo, telling stories, listening to all the music and entertainment provided and having her hair and nails done in the salon. Eventually, she required even more care and moved to Grace Manor. She still enjoyed the live entertainment and playing bingo (she memorized her card!), and the visits from family and friends. At the age of 94 years, 6 months and 22 days, Madge passed away on January 4, 2008 at the Grace Manor Care Center. Please join her family in remembering Madge and celebrating her life, her spunky attitude, her love and caring concern for family and friends, and her simple joy in life itself. “I have so many good memories of growing up and later with my family and Wayne. So, don’t be afraid of Friday the 13th, it was pretty good to me. Everyone should be so lucky. If you’re not convinced, count the letters in my maiden name – Madge Peterson. A piece of cake!â€? …………….Madge, December 8, 1985 She was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne; her son Chuck; two grandsons, Allen Pizel Jr. and Kerry Barber; her parents; Fred and Mamie Peterson; her sisters and their husbands, Eva and Ralph Bowman, Delphia and Delford Bowman, all of Wray, Colorado and Mamie and Hank Lung of Lakewood, Colorado; her brothers Max and Harry Peterson also of Wray, Colorado; and numerous life time friends. She leaves to celebrate her life; her daughter, Bonnie and her husband Allen Pizel of Burlington; her grandchildren; Jeff and Mary Barber of Lakewood, Colorado; Charlotte and Torbin Nielsen of Gilleleje, Denmark; Tammy Barber of Springfield, Colorado; Kelly Barber of Minnesota; Donna and Ralph Gorton of Centennial, Colorado; Mike Pizel of Lakewood, Colorado; Connie and Fred Niles of Brighton, Colorado; her great grandchildren; Eddie, Aaron, and Stacey Niles of Brighton, Colorado; Randy Gorton of Centennial, Colorado; Dalton Curry of Golden, Colorado; Justin, Michael and Sarah Barber of Lakewood, Colorado; Lindsay Barber of LaJunta, Colorado; Kerri Jo of Colorado Springs; Adam Barber of Cheraw, Colorado; Cole and Jordan Barber of California. Jonas Nielsen of Gilleleje, Demmark; Anja and Lars Andersen of Denmark and their new daughter, Freya, Madge’s first great great grandchild; her extended family, Tammy, Jeremy, Shawn and Cory Franz; Mandy Franz-Scott and their children of Burlington; and finally, her very special friends, Dr. Tony and Jennifer Olaiz of Burlington, along with numerous nieces, nephews and many other life long friends. Funeral services for Madge were held on Wednesday, January 9, 2008 at 10:30 AM at the Love Funeral Home with Pastor Ron Lee officiating. Burial followed at the Fairview Cemetery, Burlington, Colorado. Memorial may be made in Madge’s name to the McArthur Senior Center and may be left at the Bank of Burlington, Burlington, Colorado.