Barbara was born to Irma and W. Newton Sullivan on November 8, 1937, and left this life on November 21, 2025, surrounded by loving family. The Sullivans farmed south of Plattsmouth, Nebraska. She was the oldest of the three Sullivan children. Barbara attended a one-room school and in 1954 she graduated from Plattsmouth High School at the age of 16. She then attended the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, pledged Delta Delta Delta, and met the love of her life, Jerry Rounsborg. They were married on December 16, 1956. Three children were born to them, while they were in medical school. Jerry always said they were in medical school together and they used the collective “they.”
After medical school, Jerry joined a practice in Torrington, Wyoming, where they raised their children and had a wonderful circle of friends. Barbara loved boating and water skiing, even though she could not swim. In 1976, Jerry left his general practice in Torrington to do a residency in diagnostic radiology in Colorado. Barbara held down the fort in Torrington until Rick was in college and Kathy and Bill graduated high school. While in Torrington, Barbara was involved in All Saint’s Episcopal Church altar guild, was a Sunday School teacher, Cub Scout Den Mother, 4-H Leader and worked in Jerry’s medical practice.
In 1979, Barbara and Jerry settled in North Platte, Nebraska. Jerry joined Radiology Services, Inc. and Barbara joined numerous organizations including the North Platte Community Playhouse Board, Goodfellows Shoe Fund and Great Plains Medical Auxiliary. She was a docent for the traveling art exhibits of the Sheldon Art Gallery and served in Episcopal Church of Our Savior guilds. She was an officer of the Lincoln County Cancer Society, and a 50-year member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood and a member of Chapter EB, Nebraska. A faithful member of the Episcopal churches in Torrington, North Platte, Ogallala and Marble Falls, Texas, Barbara’s faith was a source of strength throughout her life.
After retirement, Barbara and Jerry split their time between Lake McConaughy and Horseshoe Bay, Texas, where once again they were on the water and near golf courses. After the death of their beloved son Rick, they moved back to Lake McConaughy full-time. Barbara was lethal with a pack of cards, board games and trivia. She had a competitive instinct, and you begged her to be on your team or you played against her at your own risk.
Barbara loved and adored her grandchildren, and they loved and adored her. She was Nana to them. She opened her home and heart to all, especially the friends of her grands, who left feeling like she was their Nana, too. She made everyone feel important.
Barbara was proceeded in death by her parents, her loving husband Jerry (2019) and their son Rick (2019). She is survived by Rick’s wife, Frances, and their children Sophie Fox and her spouse, Clayton Fox; Maggie Rounsborg; and Jack Rounsborg and his spouse, Katie; daughter Katherine Hall, JD, and her spouse, Tim, and their children Bradley Hall, MD, and his wife, Ashley; and Morgan Nolte DPT, and her spouse, Justin Nolte; and son William Rounsborg JD, LLM, and his spouse, Dana, and children the Honorable Benjamin Rounsborg and his spouse, Felicia; Roxanne Rounsborg; and Ashlyn Stephenson and her spouse, Clinton Stephenson; Zachary Zarling and his spouse, Lexie; and Jocelyn Zarling and her spouse, Patricia. Also surviving Barbara are her sister Mary Sullivan Berner and her brother William Sullivan and his spouse, Bonnie; and her sister-in-law, Mary Rounsborg. With a generous sprinkling of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and “nearly” children, joy and happiness were in abundant in Barbara’s life.
Barbara’s memorial service is Saturday, November 29 at 12:00 p.m. MT at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Ogallala followed by a gathering of friends and family at the Petrified Wood Gallery Social Hall. Memorials are suggested to the charity of your choice or to Gracie’s Promise, PO Box 1366, Torrington, WY 82240 or the North Platte Community Playhouse, 301 East 5th Street, North Platte, NE 69101.
Online condolences may be left at www.drauckerfh.com
The service will be livestreamed from www.draucekrfh.com by clicking the watch live button.