Barbara (Barb) Jean Vanarsdall, 78, passed away, October 14, 2023 at Linden Court in North Platte, Nebraska. Barb was born on October 31, 1944 in North Platte, the daughter of Wilbert and Ingeborg (Carlson) Godfrey.
She graduated from Hershey High School with the class of 1963. After high school, she married John L. Vanarsdall on November 16, 1963 and lived north of Hershey. Together they built a beautiful life in the country. This union was blessed with four boys: Matthew (Mark), Robert (Scott), Daniel and James. Barb was known for her hard-work and dedication to raising her family. She maintained the family farm while John was away at work. Once the boys grew up, Barb worked outside the household in North Platte at Kmart for 10 years. Upon closing their doors, she later was employed by Hershey Public Schools as a custodian and in the cafeteria. Barb will always be remembered for her beautiful yard, lily pond and garden. She worked non-stop in her yard. If she didn’t have a shovel or a pair of trimmers in her hand, she would be planting flowers or pushing a lawn mower and she would have a smile on her face the entire time. If Barb was not working in her yard she was cooking in her kitchen. There was always room at her table for an unexpected guest. She could whip up a meal to feed an army at any moment. Her family and friends will always remember her for her famous cinnamon rolls and potato salad. In her spare time, she enjoyed time with her family and shopping with her sisters and nieces. Barb could “design-on-a-dime” and turn something old and broke into a masterpiece. She had a unique way of decorating and it always turned out beautiful. She had a heart of gold and never spoke ill of anyone. She always found the good in people.
Barb is preceded in death by her parents, Wilbert P. and Ingeborg “Red” Godfrey; brother-in-law, Weldon Bruegman; sister-in-law, Margaret Nordhof.
Survivors include her children, Matthew Mark (Monica), North Platte, Robert Scott (Dawn), Omaha, Daniel (Tina), Hershey, James (Yonnia) of North Platte; 12 grandchildren, Sydney (Jason), Payton (Austin), Eden, Bailie, Nattalie, Logan, Sloane, Paige, Keltin, Jarrett, Cannon and Gia; great-grandchild, Blair; siblings, Rosalee (William) Quinn, Paulsbo, Washington, Wanda Bruegman, Boise, Idaho; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
Memorial services will be at 10:30 A.M., Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home with Pastor Mark Baldwin officiating. Book signing will be 9 – 5, Friday at Adams & Swanson who is in charge of arrangements.