Betty L. Barker

Betty L. (Mitchell) Barker, 82, passed away September 3, 2014 at Brewster Place. She was born May 4, 1932, in Tulsa, Ok, the daughter of Harland D. and Lorraine (Kinkaid) Mitchell. Betty graduated from Silver Lake High School. She was married to her high school sweetheart, Carl Barker, on February 9, 1952. Betty had worked for the State and later provided home child care. She then worked for Hallmark Cards. Betty pursued her passion and went to Cosmetology School. Betty owned and operated her own salon, the Shear'n Shed out of their home on NE 43rd Street in Topeka, KS for many years. Her clients were more than customers, many became lifelong friends. She cut many entire families hair in the evenings, where each member took turns in her chair.

Survivors include her children: Michele Mingee of Greenwood, Mo; Valerie (Donald) Jahnke and Kurt Barker of Topeka, KS; her sister Barbara (Roy) Taylor of Manhattan, KS; Brother-in-law Larry (Terry) Barker. Grandchildren include Ryan (Kristy) Barker, Bryce (Kari) Baker, Kalen (Melissa) Jahnke, Drew Jahnke and Shelbi, Carlee and Kylee Barker. Great grandchildren Bennett Jahnke and Brody Barker and one on the way. She was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter Carla Baker, October 24, 1996, her husband Carl, September 7, 2010 and a son-in-law John Mingee, September 12, 2013.

Mom loved to host family dinners and always made each of her children their favorite meal and desserts for their birthday. She had such a great sense of adventure and cherished spending time with each of her children and grandchildren. She was a very gifted painter and was an avid gardener.

Betty was a member of Second Presbyterian Church where she taught Sunday school and was an Elder in the Church. She always showed her faith in God through her kind gestures and welcoming smile. She taught each of us at a very early age that "We are all Children of God!"

Visitation will be Saturday, September 13, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 1:00 p.m. at Second Presbyterian Church, 210 NW Menninger Rd, Topeka, KS 66617.

Memorial contributions may be made to Dolls4Alzheimers, 1646 NE 11th St, Bend, OR, 97701. Alzheimer's may have robbed mom of her ability to verbally communicate with others, but her realistic baby dolls from Dolls4Alzheimer's allowed her to maintain her loving nature and nurturing spirit and provided amazing comfort and purpose to her life.

We can't express our gratitude to the amazing staff at Brewster Place Sunflower and their personal care they provided to mom and our entire family. A special thanks to Grace Hospice who were there for us all. It means so much to our family for the out poor of your prayers and thoughts! Blessings