OBITUARY: Mrs. Barbara Ruth Loomis
Barbara Ruth Loomis was born March 13, 1931, in Ionia Township in Jewell County, KS, to Edward C. and Ethel M. Yapp-Loomis. Barbara was their only child. Barbara died Wed., Sept. 12, 2007, at Stormont-Vail Hospital, Topeka.
Barbara attended a one-room school in Ionia Township through the seventh grade. She and her parents moved to Mankato, KS, where Barbara finished grade and high school. Barbara graduated from Mankato High School in 1949. She then enrolled in Brown Mackie School of Business in Salina, KS.
Barbara married James E. Hackathorne in 1949. This marriage ended in divorce. One son, Paul D., was born in 1951. Barbara married Carl W. DeHaven, Dec. 22, 1960. Carl died Aug. 19, 1997.
Barbara worked for the State of Kansas for thirty-five years. She worked three years for the Highway Commission in Salina, KS, and after moving to Topeka, KS, she worked six years for the Worker's Compensation Commission, before transferring to the State Bank Commissioner's office for the next twenty-six years. She retired March 17, 1992.
Barbara was a member of Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, Topeka, KS. She had served as Financial Secretary for seven years and Chair of the Finance Committee for two years, as well as a member of several other committees. After the death of her husband, she organized a group of church members called the Swinging Senior Singles who met monthly for fun and fellowship.
Barbara was a past president of the Topeka Business and Professional Women's Club and was chosen Woman of the Year by the Kansas Federation of Business and Professional Women's Club on April 10, 1983. She had been a member of the Gavel Club and the Retired Members of the Business and Professional Women's Club. She had been a member of the American Legion Auxiliary since 1949, and was currently a member of Post 400 in Topeka, KS.
Barbara loved to travel and had been to Europe, Australia and New Zealand, Ireland, Canada, Mexico, Alaska, and most of the lower United States. One of the highlights of her travels was a 2006 trip she organized for the Mankato High School Class of 1949, to view the fall foliage in the Northeast United States and Canada.
Barbara is survived by one son, Paul Hackathorne, two brothers-in-law, Keith (Clara), Sedgwick, KS, Richard, Bird City, KS, and one sister-in-law, Barbara Cassil, Newton, KS, and several nephews and nieces.
Services will be held at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church on Mon, Sept. 17, 2007, at 10:00 AM. Family and friends will meet one hour before services at the church. Burial will be in Rochester Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, 5919 NW Glenwood, Topeka, KS 66617-1331. Barbara will lie in state after 1:00 PM, Sunday, at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, Topeka. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabel.com.