Barbara Jean VanPelt, age 72, of Paxton, died at the North Platte Care Center on Saturday, April 18, 2020.
Barb was born to Joseph Curtis, Sr. and Ardis LaVonne (Eakins) Doucet on August 18, 1947, at Sutherland. The family lived in Sarben until Barb was six, then moved to North Platte where she graduated from North Platte High School in 1965.
After high school Barb worked at TRW, Memorial Hospital, Perlinger's Upholstery, the Elk's Club in Ogallala, Garnet's Cheetah Cafe, Ole's and Hehnkes Grocery Store. Over the years she worked as a nurse's aide, waitress, and butcher, and was a past member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Paxton. Barb was also a Vacation Bible School teacher and 4-H Leader, but her favorite job was being a mom.
On February 10, 1973, Barb married John Dean VanPelt at North Platte. They made their home in Paxton and raised four girls, Tina, Gina and twins, Raelyn and Cortney.
Barb enjoyed cooking and could make the best meals from her head even though she had many cook books, and when the kids were younger, she enjoyed watching them play sports. Her hobbies included making ceramics, leather belts and crocheting. She also liked playing pool and of course, "Happy Hour" at the local tavern.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe, Sr. and Ardis Doucet; brothers, Joe, Jr., Jack and a baby brother; in-laws, Wilmer and Agnes VanPelt; sister-in-law, Karen and husband, Al Priester; brother-in-law, Lyle Ecker; nephew, Jeff Ecker; and niece, Shelley Ecker.
Barb leaves behind her husband, John, of Paxton; daughters, Tina (Lynx) Bettelyoun, of Pine Ridge, South Dakota, Gina (Bob) Ferguson, of Chadron, Raelyn (Jeff) Daly, of Arthur, and Cortney VanPelt, of Paxton; brother, Doug (Rosetta) Doucet, of North Platte; sister, Charlene (Mick) McFadden, of Paxton; sisters-in-law, Pat Doucet, of North Platte and Marguerite Doucet, of Colorado Springs; special cousin, Jerry Rhein, of San Antonio; 16 grandkids, 3 great-grandkids, and other family.
Visitation will be 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (CT) Tuesday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. A private family graveside service will be held in the Paxton Cemetery.
Memorial service in remembrance of Barb will be held at a later date when we can all safely gather together. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Paxton American Legion Medical Supplies.